






.i^^ ^"^ 



3. "-v^* A° >, 


















>^ .A 



.-^ 



<?.^ 





'-^o 
"^^ 









^^. A-^ 






' ^^ ^"^ V' 



»:^. 




















'^. '* c" 




v^ 



y 











r 













>,* 'y ^?» -.' 6-^-4 4.V 



V 





* J. » o ' , V 



(• %/' 



H; 









^^-^. 












-- -3', W 




t . o. 






'v/^- ,-'5 









O M O 






.S^^o 



0^ 






\J> 






• ^ - 



/ 



7/ / 







«3i 



- s ^ 

- Ml ^ 



AN 




1$ 






e$$, 



DELIVERED AT THE 



CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 



OF THE INCORPOKATIOX OF THE 



TOWN OF WILBRAHAM, . 



JUNE 15, 1863. 



BY 



RUrUS p. STEBBINS, D. D, 



Wixih mx S.ppcntrh'. 



BOSTON": 
OEOROE C. RAND A AVERY, 

rillNTEIlS, 3 CO UN HILL. 

1864. 



n4- 



COBBESrONDEJ^^CE. 



WiLBRAHAM, JUNE 18, 1863. 

To Kev. K. p. Stebbins, D. D. 

Dear Sir: — 

Tlie undersigned, appointed by the Committee 

of Arrangements of the Centennial Celebration of this Town, do respectfully solicit a 

copy of your Centennial Address, delivered before the inhabitants of the town, on the 

loth instant, for publication. 

A compliance with the above request will confer a great favor upon the citizens of 

the town. 

Respectfully yours, 

JOHN B. MORRIS, 

JOHN W. LANGDON, 

JOHN M. MERRICK, 

Com. of Publication. 



WoBURN, June 26, 1863. 
Gentlemen : — 

Your letter of the 18th instant, requesting a copy of my Centennial 
Address, delivered before the inhabitants of the town of Wilbraham, on the 15th in- 
stant, for publication, is before me. 

I am happy to comply with your request, believing that no town is so obscure, much 
less ours, that its history is not worthy of being written, as both instruction and inspi- 
ration to its citizens. 

The favor with which the Address was received when delivered encourages me to 
hope that it may not be entirely destitute of interest when read. 

The haste with which it was prepared will render it necessary for me to thoroughly 
revise the manuscript, and thus cause some delay in sending it to the press. 

Accept, gentlemen, my thanks for the favors you have shown, and my best wishes 
for the prosperity not only of yourselves but of your fellow-citizens. 
Respectfully, 

Your former townsman and continued friend, 

RUFUS P. STEBBINS. 

John B. Morris, John W. Lanodon, and John M. Merrick, Esqrs., 

Committee of Publication. 



B iBmeATB® 



TO THE 



§cscenbmTts 0f tfjc Jfirst <§£ttte of Milbraljnm, 

SCATTERED ABROAD, OR STILL RESIDENT, 

A N D T O 

ITS PRESIMTT eCTCgiNS, 

THIS ADDRESS, PREPARED, DELIVERED, AND FRUITED BY THEIR INVITATION, 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

B T 

THE AUTHOR. 





xtiutaxQ. 






^^^HE following Address and Appendix have been prepared 
15'^ almost entirely from the Records of the Town, the Parishes, 
and the Churches. I have found hardly a sentence in 
print which has given me any assistance. If any histori- 
cal sermons were preached by any of the ministers of the 
town, they were either not printed, or I have failed to 
[(d) find them. 

This fact has made my labor very difficult and slow, as well as severe. I 
have thoroughly searched the records of the town of Springfield during the 
period antecedent to the incorporation of Wilbraham, and copied all that 
referred to our history. I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Folsom, City 
Clerk, for aid in finding that portion of the records which I needed. I 
obtained a copy of the Indian deed of a portion of the town from the office 
of the Registry of Deeds, and the clerks kindly volunteered to make scru- 
tiny to discover, if possible, other deeds. 

I spent several days in the Archives of the State Department, at the 
State House, in Boston, and was greatly assisted by the clerks, Messrs. Strong 
and Coolidge, and especially by Alanson Hawley, Esq., who kindly copied 
for me several pages from the " Revolutionary Rolls," and aided me in 
other ways most generously. 

I have obtained invaluable assistance from Samuel Warner's Journal, 
and from Doctor Samuel Fisk Merrick's Journal of his two expeditions 
in the Revolutionary War, and from his MS. address at the conclusion of 
a century from the settlement of the town, delivered Juite, " election day," 
1831. 

I have not been able to find any Revolutionary correspondence save 

5 



two letters from John Langdon. I regret it, as private letters throw grea 
light on history, — on the spirit of its actors. From Hon. Oliver Blis 
Morris I have received many hints and helps. John M. Merrick, Esq 
has sent me many papers of great value. Mrs. Stebbins very kindly 
entrusted to me some most valuable papers, collected by her late husbant 
Calvin Stebbins, Esq., when he was engaged, with others in the towi 
twenty years ago, in endeavoring to save the early traditions from perisl 
ing. I have visited the oldest people, and learned many incidents of intei 
est. In a word, I have spared no labor to gather my facts and tradition: 
The result is before the reader. 

I have written for the citizens of Wilbraham, that they might knoi 
what manner of persons their ancestors were, and how the town has grow 
to its present condition. I have endeavored, therefore, to let our fathei 
and mothers speak for themselves. I have copied and printed to the lettc 
the records and old documents. ■ The same word will be found spelle 
differently in the same sentence, and names are often spelled differentl 
in the same document. I have kept all, or have attempted to, as th 
record has it. 

I do not flatter myself that I have made no mistakes in this most di: 
ficult and laborious work of copying. I throw myself on the compassio 
as well as generosity of my late fellow-citizens. Only about half of th 
Address, owing to its great length, was delivered ; and some words, throw 
in to diminish the tedium of the hour, are not printed. 

Messrs. Rand & Avery have done their part well. It will be remen 
bered that Mr. Avery, of this firm, is son of the late Abraham Averj 
Esq. ; and I may add that Mrs. Rand, the wife of the other member < 
the firm, is daughter of the same former citizen of the town. 

The limits which I had set to myself have been overrun, and I con 
menced omitting some of my materials. This accounts for the removal ( 
Dr. Russell's second speech from its proper place, after mine, at the din 
ner, to page 289. I was cheered, however, in my work, by the unan' 
mous voice of the town to save everything. Most hearty thanks for th: 
kind confidence and indulgence. I place my year's work in your hand 
with distrust and hope. 

R. P. S. 
Cambridge, March 3, 1864. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 



Sons axj> Daughtjems of Wilbsaham .- — 

TT7ELC0ME! This is a memorable day. We meet 
' * with gladsomeness to pour into the lap of our 
venerable mother whatever honors and successes we 
have won in the various pursuits of life ; to render her 
thanks for the spirit she nourished in us, the industry, 
the economy and thrift she taught us ; and to congratu- 
late her that she has attained her hundredth year, is 
now a full century old, with no wrinkle on her brow, no 
dimness in her eye, no heaviness in her step, the still 
prolific mother of still enterprising and heroic sons, of 
still beautiful and enlightened daughters. There is no 
foot of her soil which does not glow with bright mem- 
ories to some of us. Her very name is music to all 
our ears. 

It was a happy thought of the children in the old 
homestead — accept our thanks for it, brothers and sis- 
ters — to call us wanderers back again, t^at we might 
brighten the chain of kinship and neighborhood ; that 
we migbt clasp hands in the fervors of young friend- 
ship ; that, above all, we might unitedly offer thanks to 



10 

Almiglit}^ God for his favoring care, and the heritage 
of our fathers. It will do us good to rehearse the 
story of our ancestors, to trace the growth of the 
town from the day when Nathaniel Hitchcock, coming 
out to the '•' mountains," commenced breaking up the 
two acres which he sowed with wheat, and biult his log 
cabin, and for one long year dwelt here with his family 
alone, with no neighbor to share his friendly fire or 
frugal flire, nearer than Springfield Street, till villages, 
thrifty farm-houses, manufactories, schools, and rich, 
broad harvest-fields fill all our borders. 

Nor is this all. The history of our town is the his- 
tory of liberty. These little municipalities were the 
nurseries of those principles of freedom, and trained our 
ancestors to that capacity of administration, which have 
made us a great nation of freemen, extending from the 
rising to the setting sun, a name and a praise in the 
whole earth, wherever human rights are respected and 
liberty loved. In our town-nieetings our fathers learned 
to legislate ; in our town-offices they learned to admin- 
ister ; and when the hour came, they were ready for 
the birth, and sprang into existence a nation of freemen, 
prepared for all the responsibilities of legislation and 
administration. We shall learn the history of liberty 
as we trace the growth of the town ; for " the doctrine 
of the sovereignty of the people came out of the town- 
ships and took possession of the State." We shall not 
only express our gratitude by these services, but we 
shall inflame our patriotism, kindle anew the fires of 



11 

liberty, and leurn, from the heroic sacrifices of our 
fathers, how to preserve it, now the " gates of hell have 
rebelled agjainst it." 

The history of our town naturally divides itself into 
four periods. 

I. The first period extends from its first settlement, 
1731, and somewhat antecedently, to its incorporation 
as the fourth precinct of Springfield, Jannary 6, 1741. 
During this period, all public business, both municipal 
and ecclesiastical, was transacted in Springfield, and the 
first settlers were struafo-linsf with the stubborn soil and 
beasts and birds for the necessaries of life and the secu- 
rity of their persons. It was a period of luird labor, 
poor returns, patient endurance. 

II. The second period extends IVom the incorporation 
of the " outward commons," or " the mountains of 
Springfield," into the fourth parish or precinct for the 
support of a minister, January 6, 1741, to the incorpo- 
ration of the town, by the name of Wilbraham, June 
15, 1763. This period is occupied chiefly by ecclesias'^ 
tical afftiirs, — the organization of a religious society, the 
gathering of a church, the settlement of a minister, 
the building of a meeting-house, and the adjustment of 
those troubles which parishes and churches tlien, as 
now, found it hard to settle. 

III. The third period extends from the incorporation 
of the town, June 15, 1763, to the division into two 



12 

parishes, the North and the South, June 20, 1782. The 
town ceases from this time to have charge of ecclesiasti- 
cal affairs, and its history is limited to secular business, 
— the laying out of roads, the opening of schools, the 
building of school-houses, and especially to the raising 
of troops and commissary stores for the Revolutionary 
War, and to the struggle with the difficulties arising out 
of a depreciated paper currency. 

IV. The fourth period extends from the division of 
the town into two parishes, June 20, 1782, to the pres- 
ent day, June 15, 1863. It includes the history of the 
gradual growth of the town, — its improvements in agri- 
culture and means of education, the formation of new 
religious societies, and of troubles in the old ones, the 
erection of shops, mills, manufactories, and of the foun- 
dation and success of this noble institution, to whose 
spacious halls we have been this day welcomed by the 
generous hospitality of its principal, my friend and class- 
mate, the Rev. Dr. Raymond. 

Such is the outline of my story. — The settlement of 
the town, the establishment of religious institutions, the 
organization of the town and the administration of its 
affairs, under the act of incorporation, till the formation 
of two parishes at the close of the Revolutionary War, 
and its subsequent growth and improvement. 

I shall neither challenge nor weary your patience by 
an attempt to relate it all ; but, like the old chroniclers 
at the Grecian games, I shall go on with my tale of 



13 

struggle and growth, of endurance and success, " and 
leave it half told when hearers give signs of weariness 
or the herald proclaims that the feast and the games 
are ready." 

I. What is now the town of Wilbraham was a part 
of the territory of Springfield, whose settlement was 
commenced by William Pynchon and his associates, in 
1636, ninety-five years before the settlement of this 
town. The territory of the town of Springfield was 
about twenty-five miles square, extending from Connect- 
icut River east to the present line of Monson, west 
to Russell or thereabouts, and from Warehouse Point, or 
about the south line of Enfield, to the mountains or 
thereabouts on the north. I do not undertake to trace 
accurately the boundary line, as it is not necessary to 
my purpose. On the east side of this territory, extend- 
ing from Connecticut line to the north line of the town 
of Springfield, as then bounded, there was a strip four 
miles wide, called the " Mountains," or "^ outward com- 
mons of Springfield." There was also a strip on the 
west side of about two-thirds the same length, and 
whose breadth is determined by specified bounds called 
" outward commons of Springfield, on the west side of 
the Great River." 

These " outward commons " on each side of the river, 
though within the original purchase of Pynchon, had 
not been specially appropriated to any of the inhabit- 
ants of Springfield, and there was reason to fear that 



14 

Sir Edmund Andros, Governor of Massachusetts, would 
take away the charter of the colony, as he threatened to 
do, thus causmg all the unappropriated lands to revert 
to the crown, — become the property of the king. The 
inhabitants of Springfield, therefore, to avoid such an 
undesirable transfer of ownership of their '* common 
lands," voted, in town-meeting, February 3, 1685, that 
after reserving three hundred acres to the ministry, and 
one hundred and fifty acres for schools, on the " east 
side of the river," and a due proportion to the ministry 
and schools on the " west side of the Great River," the 
remainder be divided among the one hundred and twen- 
ty-three heads of families or legal citizens ; among these 
is included, by special vote, " our reverend teacher, Mr, 
Pelatiah Glover." A '' ministry-lot " and a " school-lot " 
are also to be given from the land. There are, therefore, 
one hundred and twenty-five proprietors, among whom 
the land is to be divided. The division is to be made 
according to estates and polls, — each poll to be valued 
at £12. It was also voted, that all male children, under 
age, should be counted as polls ; and further, that while 
these lands are unfenced, any person can use them for 
grass, herbage, and timber, and that they shall be free 
from taxes till improved. 

As the lands appropriated would necessarily vary 
very much in value, and as it was not only just, but 
desirable, that each j^roprietor should have at least a 
chance to secure a good lot or a portion of one, these 
'• outward commons " on the east side of the river 



15 

were divided into three portions, and those on the west 
side into two portions, making iive portions in all. 
These portions w^ere numbered from one to five, begin- 
ning with the northernmost portion on the east side ; 
and each of the one hundred and tv^^enty-five proprie- 
tors was to have one share in each portion, making five 
shares in all. Omitting all further reference to the 
" commons," which were not included in the present 
boundaries of the town, only stating that the " com- 
mons " on the east side of the river were about twelve 
miles long, and therefore that each of the divisions was 
four miles north and south, and that nearly the whole 
of the first division and part of the second were north 
of Chicopee River, the so-called "outward commons," 
constituting the principal part of the present town of 
AVilbraham, included the greater part of the second 
and the whole of the third division. The second divi- 
sion extended from about a mile north of Chicopee 
River south four miles to the south line of the farm of 
Deacon Moses Burt, and west from Monson line four 
miles, to the line of the ''inner commons" near the 
Stony Hill road, which runs north and south. The 
third division was bounded north by the second divi- 
sion, east by Monson line, and extended south to near 
the top of the old Potash Hill, to what was then sup- 
posed to be the line of Connecticut, and west to the 
line of the " inner conunons," which was near the road 
iLinning south from Stony Hill, the most of the way to 
Somers. The " inner commons " was that territory 



16 

which extended from the " outward commons " to the 
settled portions of Springfield, sometimes called the 
" plains." 

The general bomidaries of the "commons" are de- 
fined, and the proportions of the several proprietors in 
the respective "divisions" are graduated; how can their 
several portions of the common property be located ? 
Each of these divisions was to l)e appropriated to one 
hundred and twenty-three persons, and a lot for the 
ministry, and one for the schools. For my purpose, we 
may say there were one hundred and twenty-five pro- 
prietors, or persons, between whom each division is to 
be divided. There will be therefore one hundred and 
twenty-five lots in each " division." These lots are num- 
bered, beginning: at the north side of each division ; the 
north lot being one, the next two, and so on up to one 
hundred and twenty-five. These same numbers are 
drawn from a box like a lottery ; from another box, at 
the same time we may suppose, is drawn a proprietor's 
name. The proprietor who drew No. 1 would have the 
first "lot" in the "division," he who drew No. 2 would 
have the second lot, and so on till the whole number, 
one hundred and twenty-five, was drawn. Then lots 
would be drawn for the second division, and so on till 
all the divisions were drawn. After the number of the 
proprietor's lot was settled, the next step was to de- 
termine its width ; its length was four miles of necessity, 
because the lots extended across the " commons," from 
east to west. The width was determined by adding to- 



17 

gether the value of all the polls and estates, and then, 
as the whole amount would represent all the land in one 
division, or the whole extent north and south of four 
miles, so each man's estate and polls would represent his 
individual portion of the four miles, or the width of his 
lot; a problem in simple proportion. 

John Holyoke was chosen to make out a list of the 
estates and polls, and very probably to superintend the 
allotment. The lots varied in width, from one hundred 
and thirty-three rods, fifteen feet, and nine inches, 
which was the width of Col. Pynchon's, lying north of 
Sylvanus Stebbins's farm, being No. 81 in the "third di- 
vision," and north of Chicopee River, being lot No. 2 in 
the " second division," down to only eight feet and nine 
inches in width, the lot of William Brooks, not far from 
the late Noah Merrick's, being No. 13 in the " third divi- 
sion," and No. Ill in the *' second division." 

If this allotment saved the " commons" from reversion- 
to the king, it hardly conferred any benefit on the pro- 
prietors. A farm eight feet, or even ten rods wide, — 
and most of the lots were less than ten rods in width, 
— and four miles long, was worthless for all prac- 
tical purposes. A man could not turn his cart round 
without trespassing on his neighbor, much less could he 
build a house. Indeed, there is no reason to suppose 
that this allotment was intended to give permanent pos- 
session ; it was doubtless a mere resort to save the 
land from confiscation or reversion to the crown. The 
subsequent history of ownership seems to confirm this 



18' 



view. The wealth of Col. Pynchon is indicated by the 
great Avidth of his lot, one hundred and thirty-three 
rods. The lot of Mr. Holyoke, which is the next in 
width to Col. Pynchon's, is only twenty-six rods wide. 

No satisfactory survey was made of these lots, though 
several were attempted, till 1729, when Mr, Roger New- 
bury ran the line acceptably. One of his boundary 
stones is now standing, or rather lying nearly buried, 
on the north side of Sylvanus Stebbins's farm, about ten 
rods west of the road which passes his house ; and an- 
other was said to be standing on the north side of the 
late Dr. Samuel F, Merrick's house-lot, about thirty 
years ago. 

It was many j'ears before these allotments were defi- 
nitely marked, and the heirs of many of them were 
found with great difficulty, or were all dead, so that 
ailother allotment was attempted in 1740, fifty-five 
years after the first, to about four hundred persons ; 
and again in 1754, on a different principle, to five hun- 
dred and forty-four persons. But serious difficulties 
were in the way of the new allotments, and they were 
but partially acceptable. It is said that the Pynchon 
heirs, having obtained excellent portions, some of the 
best land, under the first allotment, would not agree to 
any new arrangement. 

In Newbury's survey of the original lots, for some 
unknown reason, only sixteen feet were allowed to a 
rod ; so that there were sixty-two rods in width of 
" overplus land." as it was called, on the south side of 



19 

the third division, where now are John W. Langdon's 
and Mr. Endicott's farms ; and by some further mis- 
take, supposed to be the loss of a tally, there were 
eighty-two rods in width of '-overplus land," on the 
south side of the "second division," including; with 
others the farm of Deacon John Adams, ^ 

Such was the division made of the land ; and the 
vote of the town of Springfield, by which this distribu- 
tion of the territory of this town was made among the 
early proprietors, constitutes the original legal title 
which the present occupants have to the soil. These 
divisions and lots are always mentioned in the early 
deeds conveying land in the town, and by examining 
these deeds, the situation of many of the oi'iginal lots 
can be found, and the names of the original proprietors 
determined. No record was made however of New- 
bury's survey till 1774 at least, for I find that a com- 
mittee was chosen at a town meeting, held March 15th, 
of that year, '' to desire Edward Pynchon, Esq., to record 
a tested coppy of Roger Newberry's survey of Laying 
out the ^ outward commons,' So Called, on the east side 
of Connecticut River ; " and as late as May 20, 177(3, a 
committee is chosen by the town to ■" make application 
to the general court for an Establishment" of this survey. 

The appearance of the coimtry was not attractive. 
Nearly the whole territory^ called by the Indians, Min- 
nechaug, " Berry land," had been so devastated by fires, 
that in many places there were no forest trees, — and 

^ Appendix A. 



20 

in other portions hardly any shrubbery grew. The low, 
swampy grounds and swales afforded a coarse grass 
which was mowed and cured for the support of cattle 
during the winter season, and the burnt hills furnished 
abundant pasturage during the summer. The tradition 
is handed down to us, that the country was so bare in 
many places that a deer could be seen from mountain 
to mountain. The late Samuel Chapin was accustomed 
to say, that in his father's day all the land south of 
Scantic from the mountain to the Potash Hill and west 
of the present road nearly half a mile was so destitute 
of trees and brush, that a deer could be seen distinctly 
at a great distance. 

Game was very abundant, and continiied to be till 
long after the settlement of the town. Deer filled the 
pastures and the woods ; wild turkeys ran in llocks over 
the fields and hills ; the ponds were covered with 
ducks ; squirrels on the trees filled the air with 
their barking, and were seen leaping in all directions 
over the rocks ; beavers built their dams in Pole Bridge 
Brook, and muskrats swarmed upon the banks of Scan- 
tic and other streams, sharing with minks the bounties 
of both land and water. The brooks abounded 
with that prince of fishes, the trout ; pickerel darted 
like arrows in the clear waters of the ponds, and 
salmon, weighing from seven to twelve pounds, came 
up the Chicopee River as far as Twelve Mile Brook, 
where thev were cauo;ht in o-reat abundance with seines. 
Beasts of prey were not abundant, if we except the fox, 



21 

Avhicli cunningly sought his rent of the intruders by 
securing the choicest of the poultry for his own eating. 
Sometimes bears made their appearance and feasted on 
the unripe corn, much to the annoyance of the planter 
and the terror of his children. It was not uncommon 
for devout aunts to still the restlessness of the children, 
wdio were left in their care, both on Sundays and on 
other days, when their pranks were annoying, by telling 
them that the bears would hear them and come and 
carry them away into the woods and devour them. 
Bounties were given at an early day, for the destruc- 
tion of wdld-cats, by the town of Springfield. 

No Indians inhabited the town after it was settled ; 
nor probably for many years previous. Seldom, if 
ever afterwards, was it visited by them in any numbers. 
Springfield on the west, and Quabog, as Brookfield was 
called, on the east, were more attractive, and furnished 
much 'better planting-ground. These mountains were 
their hunting-grounds, and were undoubtedly aban- 
doned soon after King Philip's War, 1675. One Indian 
squaw alone remained after the settlement commenced. 
Her wigwam was on a little brook, southeasterly of Mr. 
Pliny Merrick's house, and gave the name to " Wigwam 
Hill," on w^hicli his house stands, and ^vhere the first 
meeting-house and parsonage were erected. No one 
knows her origin or end. Alone, the last of that mys- 
terious race who had chased the deer over these fields, 
trapped the beaver in these streams, speared the sal- 
mon in these rivers, enjoyed the freedom of these hills. 



22 

* 

kindled their evening fires by these springs, and, as they 
smoked their pipe, beheld the western sky lighting up 
when the sun went down, as if with the smile of the Great 
Spirit and of the heroes who had fallen in battle, and 
buried their kindred under these trees, she lived soli- 
tary, the curiosity of the early settlers, harmless, quiet, 
meditative, seldom entering any dwelling, and providing 
for her own wants. At last even she disappeared. Of 
the manner of her death, or of her burial-place, no man 
knoweth. She passed away, as a shadow of the van- 
ished race, and joined the company and pastime of her 
fathers, " the hunter and the deer a shade," in the land 
of the sunset, beyond the western hills which she had 
so often seen empurpled at eventide. 

There was nothing to hinder the enterprising from 
entering in and taking possession of the land ; and in 
the summer of 1730, Nathaniel Hitchcock came out 
from Springfield Street, and cleared and broke up two 
acres of ground, and erected a log hut where the house 
of Mr. James Merrick, the great grandson of the first 
minister, now stands. After sowing his two acres with 
wheat, Hitchcock returned to Springfield Street to 
spend the winter and make the few preparations which 
Avere necessar}^ to remove his young wife, whom he had 
married that year, to his hut by the " Mountains," in the 
spring. In May, 1731, one hundred and thirty-two 
years ago, he came out with his wife to his narrow field 
and low hut, and resided here a full year, with no neigh- 
bor nearer than Springfield Street Nine miles away. 



23 

he planted his corn, he gathered his wheat, he mowed 
his grass, dried and stacked his hay, husked and stored 
his corn under the roof of his cabin ; and when the long, 
dark, stormy winter evenings came, he was solaced with 
the music of his wife's song, and the voice of his child, 
and the crackling and roaring of the fire in his great 
open fireplace, in the corners of which, in later days, 
the children were delighted to sit and gaze up through 
the huge chimney at the sparkling stars. 

At last the spring opened, and not only the robins 
and the bluebirds returned, but what was better for him 
and for Hannah, his wife, Noah Alvord came and settled 
near him, on the place where Mr. Lorenzo Kibbe now 
resides. Sweet counsel did these two neighbors take 
respecting the field to be cleared, to be planted, to be 
sown ; and often did Hitchcock, that summer, take his 
axe and go over to his Neighbor Alvord's to work by his 
side, softening the hardness of the labor by the pleasure 
of society. And you might have seen Alvord, of an early 
morning, with his hoe in hand, going over to make 
Hitchcock's long day's work shorter by his helpfulness. 
Nor was there any rivalry between the two wives, ex- 
cept to most lovingly and abundantly render all needed 
service to each other. 

The report of the land was good ; and the next year, 
1733, came Daniel Warner, and settled where the 
Widow Brainard Brewer now resides, near both Hitch- 
cock and Alvord. In 1734, the next year, Mr. Nathan- 
iel Warriner, afterwards a prominent citizen, the donor 



24 

of the ministry and school-fund, located himself where 
Mrs. Gale and Mrs. Mears now reside. Of these four 
earliest settlers no descendant remains in town. Na- 
thaniel Warriner had no children. Of Noah Alvord's 
four children, none had children. And the descendants 
of Hitchcock and Warner all left the town years ago. 

It is possible that some other settlers may have come 
in before 1734. Moses Burt, grandfather of our oldest 
vice-president, Deacon Moses Burt, now^ hale in his 
ninety-first year, and thrice welcome to our festivities, 
an industrious weaver and reed-maker, settled on the 
Burt Farm, perhaps as early as 1733, for in that year 
the deed of his farm, given by Mary Day, is dated. 
Then Samuel Warner settled on Stony Hill ; Samuel 
Stebbins on the mountain not far from Mr. Richards's ; 
David Merrick built his house where Mr. John M. Mer- 
rick resides ; John Jones settled on Mr. Buell's place ; 
Abel Bliss, great grandfather of Mr. John Wesley Bliss, 
on the Bliss Farm ; Daniel Lamb, on the Bay Road, west 
of Jenksville ; Thomas Merrick, father of the young man 
bitten by a rattlesnake, immortalized in song, on Mr. 
Cross's Farm ; David Warriner on the Academy lot ; 
Isaac Brewer on Edwin Brewer's place ; David Chapin 
and Moses Bartlett over and on the mountain ; and 
Nathaniel Bliss near Samuel Stebbins. But the time 
would fail me to name all those, few though they were, 
who settled in the town before 1741, or during the first 
ten years, — the first period of our history. 

In May, 1740, there are twenty -six names attached 



to the petition for incorporation as a separate precinct. 
All these are from what is now called the North Parish. 
I find no evidence that there were any settlers within 
the limits of the present South Parish before 1741. Of 
these petitioners, two were not landholders, and soon 
removed, so that there were but twenty-four, — some 
say but twenty-two, — who paid taxes. 

Few and scattered as the settlers were, they were not 
indifferent to the education of their children. As early 
as 1737 I find that the town of Springfield appropri- 
ated three pounds for the support of a school in the 
" outward commons on the east side." There were at 
this time, as nearly as I can ascertain, but eleven fami- 
lies. The same amount was appropriated the following 
year. In 1739, the sum was increased to four pounds ; 
and in 1740, two pounds more were added, making six 
pounds for the education of these children, our grand- 
fathers. The Testament was the text-book in schools, 
as well as the oracle in the church. Dilworth's spelling- 
book was their guide in spelling. Of geography noth- 
ing was taught ; of arithmetic but little. Writing re- 
ceived more attention. The means of education were 
very scant at the best, and the instruction, given in 
the houses of the different families in turn, was prob- 
ably very imperfect. 

During this first period, to Jan. 1, 1741, there were 
thirty-eight children born, and but three persons died ; 
not one of them was buried in the town. Widow Eliza- 
beth Cockril, who had come from Boston to reside w^ith 



•t 



26 

a relative, and who died April 26, 1741, was the " first 
person y* was Bured in y'' town." 

Comfort Warner, daughter of Daniel Warner and 
Jernsha Warner, his wife, was the first child born in the 
'•outward commons on the east side of the Great River," 
March 15, 1734. The first death was that of " David 
Jones, son of David Jones, and Hannah Jones, his wife, 
August 19th, 1736." 

These pioneers w^ere hardy and industrious, and pros- 
perity, such as they sought, as bounteous as they ex- 
pected, was their reward ; and eminently w^as fulfilled 
to every householder the promise of the Psalmist, '' Thy 
w^ife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine 
house ; thy children like olive-plants round about thy 
table." ' 

Such was the condition of the settlement in the " out- 
ward commons" at the close often years. Twenty-four 
families, or twenty-six, scattered over an area of four 
miles long and two miles broad, possessing only the 
barest comforts of life, include all the population. 
Most of their houses, it is true, Avere framed, the saw- 
mill at Sixteen Acres sujoplying lumber, but they Avere 
poorly finished, scantily glazed, and meagrely fur- 
nished, and rarely even j^'^^^'tially plastered. Their 
fields were still narrow, and but insecurely fenced. 
The bears and squirrels shared their scant harvest. 
The penurious soil did not make large returns, at 
best, for their labor. They were far from store and 

* Appendix 15. 



•li 



mill. They had no roads' for wheel-carriages, nor any 
conveyances of this kind, even if there had been 
roads. From the sides of the mountain, the friendly 
smokes of the settlers on the banks of the " Great 
River" could be seen rising above the trees. Between, 
there spread out an unbroken forest, swamp and 
meadow, save where a pond interrupted the continuity, 
whose j)lacid waters mirrored the heavens. They were 
religious men and women ; and the way was long and 
difficult to the first parish meeting-house. The sun 
smote them in summer, snows blocked their path in 
winter. Yv^hen the Sunday morning came, Daniel 
Lamb could comfortably make his way along the Bay 
Road to the sanctuary. But Hitchcock and Bliss and 
Warriner and Merrick, and the rest, some on horseback, 
their wives on their pillions behind, and the baby on 
the pommel before, and some on foot, started in the 
early morning for the meeting-house, nine miles away, 
by way of Pole Bridge Brook, over Stony Hill, striking 
the Usquaick, or Mill River, at Sixteen Acres, and en- 
tering the Bay Road near Goose Pond. The young 
men and maidens, for reasons easily divined, preferred 
to walk even when there was no necessity ; and it is re- 
ported, not slanderously it is to be presumed, that the 
way seemed all too short to Zion, and all the more 
lovely because so few went up to her solemn feasts. 
But the elders wearied of the way ; the briers were 
sharp, the swamps were miry, the fords were insecure, 
the storms were drenchiuix. Their souls lomred for the 



28 

courts of the Lord, their hearts and their flesh cried out 
for the hving God. They had enjoyed the blessing of 
the preached word in their own homes on a few occa- 
sions, and it was pleasant to their souls. They cher- 
ished tenderly, yet timidly, their desire to establish 
the " means of grace " in their settlement. They talked 
over the subject in their families, and with each other in 
the field and by the way. They became courageous by 
speech, and gained assurance by intercourse. At last, 
Hitchcock and Warriner and Bliss and Burt and Brewer 
and Stebbins, and the rest, met, we may suppose, at Mer- 
rick's house, in the midst of winter, and talked the matter 
over, before the great fireplace. They are few ; they 
are poor ; they are not famous. But they loved the 
sanctuary and the ordinances of religion. They have 
faith in endeavor. They resolve to try the heart of 
the brethren in the first parish, Springfield Street, and 
of Longmeadow, incorporated as a precinct, in 1713, 
and see if they would not consent to their being set off 
as a separate precinct, and aid their petition to the pro- 
vincial government to that end, so that there may no 
longer be a " dearth of the word of the Lord " on the 
" Mountains." 

Their petition is favorably received by Longmeadow, 
and it is voted, March 10, 1740, "that "the outward 
commons of Springfield, be set off for the benefit of the 
gospel ministry." The first precinct j)assed a similar 
vote March 21. 

There is now no lion in the way, and these modest 



29 

"outward commoners" take courage, draw up a paper 
(Miipowering their agents, and certifying to their author- 
ity and responsibihty, and send up their petition, signed 
ill their behalf by Thomas Merrick, 2d, and Abel Bliss, 
to the provincial governor and council, wdiich should be 
given in full in their own words: — 

" To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher Esq Captain 
General and Governour in Chief in and over His Majes- 
tys Province of the Massachusetts Bay To the hon- 
oble His Majestys Council and House of Representa- 
tives in General Court assembled at Boston May A D 
1740. 

" The Petition of Abel Bliss and Thomas Mirick Sec- 
ond for themselves and the rest of the Inhabitants set- 
tled at the mountains So called at the east side of the 
great river in Springfield on the land called the Outward 
Commons, being the second and third divisions of said 
Commons 

" Humbly Sheweth that your Pet'"* live nine miles 
from the said Town of Springfield, which distance makes 
it very inconvenient for them to attend the Publick 
Worship of God especially, in the winter season, that 
they cant attend the Service and Duties of Gods House 
as they ought, by reason of the badness of the weather, 
which makes the roads very bad and renders them al- 
most impossible to travel in, — 

" That the land lying in the Second and Third Divi- 
sions of the S'^ outward commons being in length north 
and South eight miles and east and west four miles are 



30 

very convenient and Commodious for a Precinct which 
your jjef* are very desirous of, for the building of a 
meeting house for the Pubhc worship of God in the 
said Precinct that so they may attend the Dutys and 
Service of God's House seasonably and constantly as 
they ought to do. 

"And your Pet'** would suggest to your Excellency 
and Honours That the first Parish and Longmeadow 
Parish in S^^ Springfield whereto they belong voted 
their consent that your Pet'"* should be set off a sepa- 
rate Precinct from the said Parishes. 

"And therefore your Pet'"* humbly pray that your Ex- 
cellenc}^ and Honours would be pleased to set them off 
and also to set off all those Lands which lye in the Sec- 
ond and Third Division of the said outward Commons 
being in length north and south eight miles, and east 
and west four miles a Separo.te Precinct, and grant unto 
them all such powers and libertys priviledges and Im- 
munitys as other Precincts have and enjoy with and 
imder such restrictions and limitations as your Excel- 
lency and Honours shall deem meetj and that all the 
lands lying within the limits aforesaid may be taxed 
further to enable your Pet'* to settle a minister &c for 
such term of time, and at such rate as your Excellency 
and Honours shall think proper. 

"And your Pet'"* (as in Duty bound) shall ever pra}^ 

"THOMAS MIRICK, 2-^ 
"ABEL BLISS." 



31 

Thus pathetically and hopefully did they send up 
their prayer to those in authority. 

Their petition was received by the House of Repre- 
sentatives, June 26, 1740, and it was " Ordered that the 
petitioners serve the non-resident proprietors of land 
with a copy of this Petition, by posting the' same at the 
town-house in Springfield, and by inserting it in one of 
the Public Newspapers, that they may show cause (if 
any they have) on the first Tuesday of the next session 
of this Court, why the Prayer thereof should not be 
granted." It was sent up to the council for concur- 
rence the same day ; and on the next day, June 27, the 
petition was read and the "Order" concurred in, and 
consented to, by the governor. 

The petition was taken up by the House at the next 
session, January 2, 1741, "and it appearing that the 
non-resident Proprietors have been sufficiently notified, 
but no answer given in, Ordered that the Prayers of the 
Petition be so far granted as that the Petitioners To- 
gether with all the lands petitioned for lying southward 
of the River called Chicuepe River runing Easterly and 
Westerly through the said Second Division of said Com- 
mons be erected into a Separate and distinct Precinct 
and that they be vested with all the Powers liberties 
Privilido-es and immunities as other Precincts hold and 
Enjoy and that all the lands Petitioned lying Southward 
of the River as aforesaid be subjected to a tax of two 
pence old tenor Bills p'" acre p'' annum for the space of 
Four years Next Coming the money arising thereby to 



82 

be applyecl for the building of a Meeting house Settle- 
ment and support of the Ministry among them." This 
" Order " was sent up to the council for concurrence on 
the same day. January 5, 1741, the council concurred. 
On the next day, January 6, it was consented to by 
Jonathan Belcher, Governor, and the " Outward Com- 
mons on the East Side of the Great Eiver," or '• Moun- 
tanes of Springfield," became the "fourth precinct 
of Springfield." 

There was joy in those households when the success 
of their petition was known, and more than one man 
called upon his neighbor to bless the Lord for his kind- 
ness to them. The axe was plied more vigorously, and 
the winter fires burned more cheerily because the ark 
of the Lord was to be set up among them.^ 

II. We now enter upon the second period of our his- 
tory. The precinct is incorporated, and no time is lost 
in entering upon the new and difficult work before the 
incorporators. A petition was sent, January 25, 1741, 
nineteen days only after the act of incorporation was 
passed, for a warrant to call a precinct meeting. And 
the first warrant, for that purpose, was issued February 
13, 1741, one month and seven days after the act of 
incorporation was "^ consented to," by " Wm. Pynchon, 
Esq., one of his Majastes Justeses of the Peace for 
Hampshire County," to Mr. Nathaniel Warriner, " upon 
application made by Nathaniel Bliss, 2d, Sam'l Stebbins, 

' Api)en(lix C. 



i 



33 

Jnnr., Samuel Warner, 2d, Noah Alvarcl and Nathaniel 
Warriner," requiring him " to Notifie the Freeholders 
and other inhabitants of said Precinct Quallified to voat 
in town affairs, that they meet and assemble togeather 
att the Dwellinii; House of David Mirick in said Precinct 
on the second Thursday [the 12th day] of March next 
att one a clock afternoon." 

The meeting was held at the time and place specified, 
and was organized by the choice of " William Pynchon, 
Esq., Moderator. David Mirick was chosen Clerk and 
sworn. Thomas Mirick, 2d, Isaac Brewer, Nathaniel 
Warriner, Committee of the Precinct for the year en- 
suing. Isaac Brewer, Treasurer, sworn ; David Mirick, 
Thomas Mirick, 2d, Samuel Stebbins, chosen Assessors, 
sworn. Nathaniel Warriner, chosen Collector, sworn." 
Thus the precinct was organized, and it is voted, that 
" the annual meeting for the choice of precinct officers 
shall be y*^ second Wednesda}^ of March annually." 

Four very difficult and important undertakings are 
to test the skill, ability and patience of the members of 
the precinct : — The choice and settlement of a minister, 
the location and erection of a meeting-house. Six dif- 
ferent meetings are held before the first day of June, 
in about two months, to agree upon a minister and ar- 
range his settlement and salary ; for it was customary at 
that time to pay a considerable sum to a minister, at the 
commencement of his ministry, called a " settlement," in 
addition to his annual salary. At the first meeting, held 
at the dwelHng-house of Isaac Brewer, March 25, 1741, 

5 



34 

called, among other things, to see " wheather they will 
give the worthy Mr. Noah Mirick a call in order to settle 
in the work of the ministry in case they have the advice 
of the neighboring ministers," they chose Joseph Wright 
and Daniel Warner a committee " to make application 
to three neighboring ministers in behalf of said precinct 
for advice who to settle in the work of the ministry," 
and pending the procurement of this advice they voted 
" to hier Mr. Noah Mirick to Preach the word of God to 
them three Sabbaths besfinnino; the first Sabbath in 

C5 D 

April next ensuing." Mr. Merrick had been preaching 
for them previously as appears from subsequent votes, 
and had preached in all twenty Sundays before his or- 
dination. They also direct their committee to " further 
pursue and execute a Deed that is Given of the Land 
called the Overplus Land given to the first settled 
Orthodox minister of this Precinct." This overplus 
land, it will be remembered, consisted of two lots four 
miles long from east to west, the one on the south side 
of the second Division being eighty-two rods wide, and 
the only one probably which was deeded to the first 
minister, the one on the south side of the third Division 
being sixty rods wide. This land was owned by the 
heirs of the one hundred and twenty-five original pro- 
prietors. Phineas Chapin and Samuel Warner, the 
committee, have no small labor committed to them to 
hunt up these heirs and obtain their signatures to the 
deed of conveyance. On the 17th of April, without 
waiting lor the " advice of three neighboring ministers," 



35 

they '-unanimously voated a Call or Desier that the Wor- 
thy Mr. Noah Mirick .«liould settle with " them " in the 
work of the Ministry ; chose Aaron Stebbins to assist 
\Yarner and Chapin in getting More Signers to a Deed 
of the overplus Land and get the same acknolidged;" 
and to "hier Mr. Mirick Four Sabbaths more, if he Give 
encourtT-gement to settle." The meeting was adjourned 
to the " Twenty-fourth of this instant, April ; " and at 
the adjourned meeting it would seem that they had re- 
ceived such " encouragement " from " worthy Mr. Mirick 
that he w^ould settle," as to justify them in choosing " five 
men as a Committee to State, Regulate and Draw up a 
scheem Relating to the Encouragement of Mr. Mirick's 
settling with them in the work of the ministry." The 
importance of securing a deed of tlie " Overplus Land " 
is indicated by their voting that their committee on that 
subject " shall hier a Justice Peace to take acknowledg- 
ments of the same att the Charge of the Precinct." They 
then adjourn to the " Eleventh Day of May next." At 
this May meeting the committee chosen to " Regulate a 
salary to ofer to Mr. Mirick " make their report. The}^ 
state that they have taken the matter into serious con- 
sideration, and that they find " the money or Coin in 
this Province is so variable and uncertain as to its value 
in Proportion with other commodaties that they can't 
think it a medium whereby the salarj^ can be settled or 
assertained with any safety or security either to the 
Minister or People." "Wherefore," they continue, " we 
have considered the value or Currant Market Piice of 



36 

the several Commodaties hearafter mentioned, viz : 
Indian Corn att 6s. per booshel ; Wheat, lis. per boosh- 
el; Rie, 8s. 6d. per booshel; Barle}^, 8s. per booshel; 
Oats, 4s. per booshel ; Flax, from y^ swingle, Is. 6d. per 
pound ; Beaf, 5d. per pound ; Pork, 8d. per pound." 
They further recommend " that Mr. Mirick be Elovved 
either money for his salary Bills or other Commodaties 
or Considerations Equal to One Hundred Pound a year 
for the first four years of his being settled and after the 
fourth year to Rise five Pounds a year till his sallary 
amount to one Hundred and forty Pound per annum in 
the Currancy above said so long as he continue to be 
their minister." They further recommend that a com- 
mittee shall annually agree with the minister upon price, 
" before the meeting for Granting Precinct Charges," so 
that the sum shall be Equal in value as above specified, 
and " that the whole of the salary be paid in by the 
Last Day of March annually." They also suggest " that 
for his further encouragement he have the improvement 
of that part of the Ministry Land that will fill to the 
Ministry of this Precinct." They also estimate, "by a 
moderate computation," that the " Overplus Land," of 
which they are obtaining a deed for the minister, is 
" worth three Hundred Pounds," which is considered, as 
it was, a generous settlement. They conclude their re- 
port in the following words: "and for the further en- 
couragement of Mr. Mirick's settling with us, it is Pro- 
posed that we Cut and Boat of a suficient Quantity of 
Raingrino; Timber for a Dwelinor House for him and con- 



vey the same to the Place where he shall Determine to 
Erect said Building;," 

Such is the offer which these twenty-two or twenty- 
four landholders make to the " worthy Mr. Mirick to 
settle " with them in the ministry. The meeting " voat- 
ed that the same be Excepted, Granted and Elowed in 
the value maner and Proportion, as is expressed and 
set forth in the Report." They choose a committee to 
"wait upon Mr. Noah Mirick with a Copy of said Report 
and the aforesaid voat, for his Answer," and adjourn to 
the " Eighteenth Da}^ " of the month, seven days, to give 
Mr. Merrick time to consider the conditions and prepare 
his answer. 

To us of the present day, when we consider the 
smallness of the number and the poorness of the 
possessions of the members of the precinct, the salary 
and settlement seem generous. Mr. Merrick evidently 
had some of the wisdom of the children of this world, 
as well as that of the children of light. At any rate, 
at the adjourned meeting, " it was considered that the 
offers for the encouraii-ement of Mr. Noah Mirick's set- 
tling with us as our minister were not sufficient." This 
is certainly very modestly stated, and relieves Mr. 
Merrick from all suspicion of having offensively 
pressed a bargain of his solicitous hearers. It is very 
probable that he had hinted some additional flxvors 
which they might render him, which, while they would 
cost little but labor, would be to him as acceptable as 
gold, for they vote "to provide the timber for a Dwel- 



38 

ing House for said Mr. Mirick, which was not included 
in the former voat ; " also to "•' Hue, frame, and Raise 
said building, for said Mr. Mirick." Meanwhile Joseph 
Wright and Daniel Warner, who were chosen a com- 
mittee to take the advice of three neighboring min- 
isters, have made their weary journey through the 
woods to South Hadley, obtained the opinions of three 
ministers there assembled, and have safely returned 
with the advice of Samuel Allis, James Bridgham, and 
Edward Billing-s, whicli is in the followino; words : 
"These may signifye that upon Application made to 
us by a Committee from a Place called Springfield 
Mountains, of their choice of Mr. Noah Mirick for their 
minister, that we approve of their Choice, and Heartily 
Commend him and them to the Divine Blessing." The 
advice is acceptable, of course, for these men of " a Place 
called Springfield Mountains" had already strained a 
point to make the salary and settlement satisfactory to 
the minister. 

The meeting adjourns to the 26th, and receives the 
answer that " the worthy Mr. Mirick gave to the call 
that he should settle in the Ministry heare," in the fol- 
lowing letter : — 

" To the inhabitants of the fourth precinct in Springfield 
convened, and 

"Dear Friends: I have now more thoroughly Con- 
sidered your voats Relating to my settling among you, 
and must Confess that the matter Looks dark Enough 



39 

with Regard to my support, Your encouragements, you 
must needs be sensible, being but small ; but, however, 
Considering your Present Circumstances and the great 
need you stand in of a minister, and considering fur- 
ther the unanimity you have Discovered in your Choice 
and the seeming call of Divine Providence, I dare not 
think of leaving you. 

"1 have therefore determined (puting my trust in 
him who Careth for us all) to Excej)t of your invitation 
with hopes and Expectations of your future Kindness 
to me, and your Readiness, att all times, to contribute to 
my support and comfort, as God shall give you ability ; 
and the Lord grant that we may live togeather in 
Love while we are hear, and when we go home may 
set down too:eather in the Kins2;dom of our Lord and 
Sav'" Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, both now and for- 
ever. Amen. 

"Noah Mirick. 

" Springfield, May 26, 1741." 

The meeting at once votes to " Chuse a Committee 
to confer and agree with Mr. Noah Mirick Relating to 
the time of his ordination, and also what Churches to 
apply to for assistance in the ordhuition, and to act in 
other affairs Dependent thereupon," who are to make 
" a Return of their Proceeding to the next meeting that 
shall be called." 

Events now thicken. The great day of desire is 
near at hand. A special meeting of the precinct 
is called, by a new warrant, May 29. Daniel Par- 



40 

sons " moderates " the meeting ; and, witli a pride 
which we cannot quite admire, and with an indiscre- 
tion which the fervor of their enthusiasm at the near 
prospect of having a minister all their own will cer- 
tainly excuse, they voted " That the Ordination of the 
worthy Mr. Noah Mirick shall be in the oldest Parish in 
Springfield, if Liberty can be obtained ; " and, " that 
the Committee shall take care that suitable Provisions 
be made for the Entertainment of those called to Assist 
in said Ordination, att the expense of the Precinct." 

Whether "Liberty " could not be obtained, by a wise 
overruling of Providence, or by the obstinate unbroth- 
erliness of the " oldest Parish in Springfield," or 
whether the Warriners and Blisses and Warners came 
to their right minds after the meeting, which is to be 
hoped, they were saved that long, dreary, wearisome 
journey across the plains, through the woods and 
swamps, by a final determination to have the ordina- 
tion of their own minister among their own dwellings. 
Accordingly, a large oak-tree was selected as the place 
of ordination, then standing in front of the house where 
Mrs. Brainard Brewer now resides, and a rude pulpit 
of rough boards was constructed, and a few seats of 
boards and logs arranged around it to accommodate 
the people. 

The morning of the great day to this people came 
at last ; but it came not clear and balmy and fra- 
grant as June mornings usually are ; it was lowering, 
and the sky was unpropitious. The " ministers and 



41 

their dellegates and students," had come from Hadley 
and Springfield and Longmeadow and Brimfield, and 
the grave council was sitting in solemn deliberation, 
we may suppose, at Nathaniel Warriner's. The people 
were gathering, — Daniel Lamb from the plains, David 
Chapin from the mountains, the Bartletts, and Blisses, 
and Burts. The venerable oak seemed to feel the 
honor done it, and beckoned them lovingly to its shelter, 
if not to its shade. The little children were restrained 
in their desire to run upon the seats and even climb 
into the rude yet sacred pulpit, by the stern rebuke 
and grave remonstrance of their parents : " There 
might be bears in the swamp ! " The sun was getting 
hio;h, and the clouds were a:rowino; thick. Yet the 
council did not come. A very serious difficulty had 
arisen, which the learned and worthy ministers and 
their " Dellegates " could not remove. In organizing 
the church, before proceeding to ordain the minister, 
they found that there were but six members, — an in- 
sufficient number. There must be, said the venerable 
council, seven. On what ground this reason for not 
proceeding with the ordination was set up, does not 
appear ; indeed, there is no record of either the mem- 
bers or the proceedings of the council. Seven mem- 
bers, for some reason, must be had, and there were but 
six. The proceedings were all in abeyance. At last, 
grace was given to one man, who stated that he had 
long thought of joining the church, to give in his 
name, and make up both the sacred and required 



42 

number seven, thus relieving the reverend council of 
their difficulty, and the wondering audience of their 
impatience. But they were not soon enough to escape 
the gathering storm. Hardly had they reached the 
hospitable oak, when it began to rain, and they were 
compelled to adjourn the service to a neighboring barn, 
on the place where Mrs. Gale and Mrs. Mears now 
reside. Here the ordination services were performed. 
The hymn was sung, the prayer was offered, the charge 
was given, the sermon preached, the benediction pro- 
nounced, and the audience departed to thSir homes, 
with hearts overflowing with joy, that the Lord had 
heard their prayers, and given them so good a man for 
their minister as him whom they loved to call the 
" worthy Mr. Mirick." The reverend council, their del- 
egates, and students, after again partaking of the hospi- 
talities of these frugal people at the houses of Warri- 
ner and Brewer, and spending the night, start in the 
early morning for their distant homes, leaving behind 
them good wishes and prayers fragrant as the flowers.^ 
The promises are made. We must now trace with 
faithful pen the fulfilment of those promises, — the 
struggle of the people to pay what they had pledged 
in the hour of ardent desire, and the struggle of the 
minister to retain the affections, rebuke the sins, and 
cherish the virtues of his parishioners. The work 
before them is difficult, and they will need wisdom ; it 
will be long, and they will need patience. The " Wor- 

^ Appendix D. 



43 

thy Mr. Mirick's " house is to be built ; the meeting- 
house is to^be located and built ; the expenses of the 
ordination are to be paid ; enough is to be done to 
challenge all their strength, and command all their 
skill. 

At the first precinct meeting, held after the ordina- 
tion, Nov. 6, 1741, it was voted, by what authority I 
know not, but as if in gratitude for having secured a 
shepherd to care for the sheep of the great Shejoherd, 
" to build a pound in this precinct att the Charge of the 
precinct," so that the cattle should also be saved from 
doino; themselves or their owners harm. Then came 
before them next the very difficult subject of locating 
the meeting-house, for now settlers had begun to come 
into the extreme southern portion of the precinct. To 
give time for consultation apparently, the meeting is 
adjourned for " half an hour." The question is too im- 
portant to be determined in half an hour, and the meet- 
ing is adjourned for one month, to Dec. 7, " att nine of 
the clock in the morning." They met but were not 
ready to act, and " adjourned to one of the clock in the 
afternoon." Once again they met. They are resolved ; 
and it was "Voted that the 1st Meeting House or House 
for the Public Worship of God shall be sett on the Land 
Called the Over Plus Land in the Middle Division," a 
strip across the precinct from east to west, four miles 
long, as will be remembered, and eighty-two rods wide. 
This was as near as they could come to agreeing upon 
a location after a month's special consideration and four 



44 

meetings. To determine on " what Place or Sj)ot in the 
Over Plus Land of the Middle Division said Meeting 
House shall be Erected," they "voted to choose three 
men," and accordingly chose " James Wood of Summers, 
John Shearman, Esq., of Brimfield, and Ephraim Terry 
of Endfield," for that purpose. 

Another meeting was called, Dec. 14, 1741, w^ithin 
just one week, at which the chief business was to raise 
and appropriate money. They " Voted and granted to 
Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick Fifty Pounds in money for half a 
years salary'; " to " Nathaniel Warriner six pounds, one 
shilling and sixpence for his keeping the Minister's Del- 
lagates and Scholars at the time of the Ordination ; " to 
" Aaron Stebbins for the Expense he was att in Geting 
the Deed of the Over Plus Land further executed one 
pound ten shilling ; " to " Isaac Brewer ten shilling for 
keeping the Ministers Dellagates and Scholars Horses 
att the time of the aforesaid Ordination ; " and also " Ten 
Shilling for the Boards and Nails he provided for a 
Pulpit and y*^ work he did tords y^ same ; " to " David 
Mirick four shillings for the work he did tords the same ;" 
to " Rever"'^ Mr. Noah Mirick Forty Pounds for Twen- 
ty Sabbaths Preaching before he was ordained ; " to 
" Nathaniel Wariner for keeping Mr. Mirick and his Mair 
Eleven Pounds Ten Shilling ; " to " Sam" Stebbins, 
Jun'"., Three Shilling for keeping the Rever"'^ Mr. Mir- 
ick's Mair Last Spring ; " to " Thomas Mirick, 2d, one 
Pound Twelve Shillings for his Expense in pursuing a 
Petition in the General Court in Behalf of this Precinct:" 



45 

to " Abel Bliss fifteen Shilling " for the same service ; 
" Granted also Seven Pounds in money for Contingent 
Charges to be DisjDOsed of by the Committee of this 
Precinct ; " to " Daniel Warner for his Geting Mr. Mir- 
ick's Mair kept Last Spring two Pounds ; " " Voated to 
Chuse a Committee to se that Mirick's house be sett 
up agreeable to the Precinct's Obligation ; " " Granted 
Twenty Pounds to Defray the Charge of Providing a 
Scriber and Building a House for the Reverend Mr. Mir- 
ick • " " Voated that Isaac Brewer " (he seems to have 
kej)t a house of public entertainment or infant " tavern ") 
Shall entertain the Committee appointed to Determine 
a Place or spot " for setting the " first Meeting House 
att the Charge of the Precinct ; " " Voated that fourty 
one Pound fifteen shillings and six pence of the money 
Granted at this Meeting shall be Raised of the Poles and 
Rateable Estates of the Inhabitants of this Precinct;" 
and finally, " Voated that the whole sum of one Hundred 
fourtf/ one Pound fifteen Shilling and six pence, that was 
Granted att this meeting shall be Disposed of by the 
Committee of this Precinct." Such was the generous 
sum raised to liquidate past obligations and accomplish 
future undertakings. 

It will be observed that the smallest services rendered 
by any inhabitant of the Precinct were paid for. Very 
little if anything seems to have been voluntarily given. 
This peculiarity will be more prominently manifested 
hereafter than it is now, and the items of money raised 
and appropriated are sometimes ludicrously small, as for 



'46 

instance, (1757) "Voted and Granted to Mr. Mirick's 
Negro for fetching Clay from Town four pence three 
farthings;" and at another meeting of the Precinct 
Dec. 5, 1741, "fifteen shilhngs" each was " Voated to 
Daniel Warner and Joseph Wright for their service in 
Procuring advice of the Neighboring Ministers Respect- 
ing Mr. Mirick's settling as their Minister." Certainly 
justice was done, if generosity was not abounding. At 
this meeting the Committee on locating the meeting- 
house presented their report. We can easily imagine 
with what eagerness and solicitude these " freeholders 
and Other inhabitants of the fourth Precinct in Spring- 
field qualified and assembled according to law att the 
Dwelling House of Isaac Brewer" listened to the im- 
portant finding of their disinterested Committee selected 
from " neighboring towns." It is too important a docu- 
ment to be passed over with a simple reference. It read 
as follows : — 

" Whereas we the subscribers being Chosen a Com- 
mittee by a vote of the Freeholders and inhabitants of 
the fourth Precinct in Springfield to Determine what 
Place or spot in the over plus land in the Middle Division 
where the first Meeting House should be Erected or set 
up and haveing heard the Pleas of the inhabitants Re- 
lating to the said Affair and having Considered maturely 
thereon, Doe mutualy Agree and Determine said Meet- 
ing House to be set up on that hill lying in the over 
plus Land and about six score Rods East of the Wester- 
most Rode in said Precinct and about sixty or seventy 



47 

rods West or Westerly of the top of wigwam Hill so 
Called and Southerly of a Run of Water that Runs out 
of the mountains there being a small Black Oak Tree 
marked on the South side with a cross on said Hill. 
"Springfield, December 17th, A. D. 1741. 
"John Sherman, "i 
James Wood, )>Committe." 
Ephraim Terry, J 

When the reading was finished, it was " Voated, Ex- 
cepted in the full intent Contents and limitations Ex- 
pressed and set forth in said Committe's Report." The 
great question now apparently settled, there is a lull 
in the storm of Precinct meetings, and work is com- 
menced in earnest on Rev. Mr. Merrick's house. At a 
meeting, held May 14, 1742, no less than twenty-nine 
separate grants, in sums from five pounds down to six 
shillings, are made of money in " old tenor," to pay for 
work on it. Rather perhaps I should say that each 
man's work was credited on his tax, so that when he 
" hewed," " carted slit work up the mountain," " sleded 
rafters," " worked a framing," " drew timber," " sled 
limbe," or " furnished his Team and Boy for most of a 
Day " the amount earned was deducted from his tax ; or 
if the value of his work exceeded his tax he was paid 
the balance in money. The work on Mr. Merrick's house 
seems to have been pushed forward so that it was soon 
occupied by its owner. 

Of the progress of building the meeting-house, we 



48 

hear nothing till Nov. 4, 1742, when "Eighty Pound Old 
tenor bills are Voated and Granted to Provide Matterials 
toard Building a Meeting House in this Precinct, viz : 
Nails, Glass, Covering, &c ; " and " David Mirick, Sam^^ 
Stebbins, Daniel Cadwell, Sam" Bartlett and Abel Bliss 
are chosen a " Committee to Take Care and Provide 
Materials in Order to Build said Meeting House." The 
winter of 1743 is improved by drawing " good pine 
boards, one inch thick," and " quarter boards," and " good 
Marchantable pine Boards," and " good Seader Shingles," 
and " good Spruse Shingles without sap" up "on that 
Hill aponted by a Committee Chosen by this Precinct 
to Erect the first Meeting house on." The labor warms 
on the bleakest days as the teams of Merrick and War- 
riner and Bliss and Stebbins and Brewer and Burt 
and Langdon smoke, dragging their loads up " Wigwam 
Hill." In Ma}^ the Precinct "voates" them their pay 
for work done, and we imagine that the hammers and 
saws, the hewers and the framers are following close 
upon the " Scriber " as he lays out the work, improving 
every day, between planting and hoeing, and haying 
and sowing, so that when the autumn comes, the doors 
of the sanctuary will be opened for worshippers. Alas 
for human anticipations ! Instead of this expected result, 
we find that at a Meeting, Nov. 29, an attempt is made 
to change the location of the meeting-house ; but it was 
not successful, for, Dec. 8, 1743, it is " Yoated to build 
a meeting-house on that spot of Land that this Precinct 
voated to build one on in a former meeting," and also 



49 

thcat the " Precinct Committee shall take care to Pro- 
vide a Place for the Carring on the Worship of God." 

So the matter rested for more than a year ; for the 
next information we have is in the doings of the precinct 
meeting, April 18, 1745, when it is " Voated that the 
meeting house shall be set by the West Rode of this Pre- 
cinct on the Land Called the Over Plass Land in the 
Midle Division." The " good pine boards," and " Seader 
Shingles" had been dragged two years before up the 
great " Wigwam Hill," nearly half a mile east of the 
" west Rode." Surely the wisdom of the fathers is fail- 
ing them. The " Worthy Mr. Mirick " has already built 
his house there, among other reasons perhaps, because 
the meeting-house w^as to be built there. A storm is 
evidently gathering. The precinct has secured a " Law 
Booke " to aid and guide its action. This fact is omi- 
nous. The " Wigwam Hill " and the " west Rode " parties 
rally their strength at the next meeting, Oct. 28, 1745, 
and the favorers of the " hill " carry it ; for it is " Voated 
to Build the Meeting House on the Hill Called Wigwam 
Hill" and "to Chuse some judicious men to advise us to 
some measure whereby we may Establish a Place wdiere 
to Erect a Meeting^ House in this Precinct ; " and it was 
•' Voated that Mr. John Worthington, Mr. Francis Ball, 
and Mr. Timothy Nash be advisers in the affiiir afore- 
said ; " and Caleb Stebbins is to " apply himself to said 
advisors in behalf of the Precinct." Caleb Stebbins 
failed in his mission, or the Committee would not act, 
or could not be assembled, or else they were merely to 

7 



50 

give advice, and did advise a Committee, for, Nov. 4, 
1745, it is " Voated to Chuse a Committee to determine 
the Place or Spot on the Overplus Land on y*" Middle 
Division, vieiving the land at large, where the first Meeting 
House shall be erected," and that "Ensign William King, 
Lieutenant Abraham Adams, and Leut. Thomas Jones " 
be that Committee. Surely this array of military talent 
must put to rout all opposers. 

The next vote which is passed at this meeting seems 
to specify more definitely the powers of the Commit- 
tee, and the purposes of the precinct. 

" Voated, That Leut. Abraham Adams, of Suffield, 
Ens'" William King, of Suffield, and Leut. Thomas 
Jones, of Endfield, be a Committee to appoint and 
Determine in what Place in the Over Plus Land in 
the midle division in this Precinct, it is most fit for 
this Precinct to build their Meeting House, and that the 
Place which they shall appoint shall he the Place of Set- 
ing it, and that the Meeting House he set there accord- 
ingly, at the charge of this Precinct, and of such De- 
mentions as this Precinct shall determine ; " and Na- 
thaniel Warriner is directed " to apply to the Commit- 
tee," and " Daniel Parsons and Nathaniel Bliss to wait 
on the afores'^ committee in showing of them the 
Land." The meeting was then adjourned to Nov. 18, 
— two weeks, — when the report of the committee was 
received, whose decision they had voted should be final. 
The committee say : '• Pursuant to the trust Reposed in 
us by said Precinct, after viewing the Land and hear- 



51 

ing the Pleas in said Precinct, we Judge and Deter- 
mine tliat the Meeting House be built on a Hill Com- 
monly Called Wigwam Hill, about seven or eight and 
twenty Eods southward of the house of Rev. Noah 
Mirick [which was opposite the place where Pliny 
Merrick's house now stands], and about seven Rods 
south westward from a pine tree which we have markt 
with an ax as wittness our hands this sixteenth day 
of November, 1745." The good people generously 
paid Adams and King, of Suffield, each " four pounds," 
and ^' Jones, of Enfield, three pounds, fifteen shilling, 
old tenor, for their services ; and Nathaniel Bliss and 
Daniel Parsons each '' one pound five shilHngs for 
Rideing with the Committe 2 days & half ; " and 
Dea. Nathaniel Warriner " one Pound six Pence for 
Procuring the Committee, and two Pound twelve shil- 
ling & six Pence," all in " Old Tenor, for Keeping said 
Committe and their Horses." 

The meetings on Sunday having been held in Daniel 
Parsons's house, he was paid for its use for the year 
ending March 22, 1746, "two Pounds, old tenor;" and 
in May there are '^ Voated and granted to Isaac 
Brewer, att the Rate of three pounds old tenor per 
year, for the use of his Chamber to Cary on the pub- 
lick worship in," and " that he shall have Reasonable 
Elowance for fitting up said Chamber for the Decent 
Carrying on the worship in." Subsequently, March 17, 
1747, there was " Yoated and granted to Isaac Brewer 
two shillings, old tenor, for his service in Riging up his 



52 

chamber for the Publick Worship, with the nails he 
Provided," 

Everything now seems to be very well arranged. 
A temporary ^olace of worship is provided, and the site 
of the meeting-house decided ; nothing remains but to 
go on and finish the building. Still things did not run 
smoothly. The Precinct had for some cause got into a 
law-suit with Daniel Parsons; the owners would not 
pay " the two pence per acre " land tax, and suits wxre 
growing up because the lands were sold to pay them. 
It seemed desirable to some " that the Lands that were 
given to the Rev. Mr. Mirick should be exempt from 
the tax laid upon it, Either in whole or in part ; " and, 
more than all, the old meeting-house question would 
not remain settled, but thrust itself up through votes, 
decisions of committees, and repeated settlements ; 
and, March 4, 1747, the Precinct " Voats to Chuse 
Ensign Joseph Sexton, of Summers, Leut°* Joseph 
Blocket, of Brimfield, and Lent''* Gersham Makepiece, 
of Western, a committee " to locate the meeting house, 
and that they have liberty to set it in any ijlace in the 
Precinct, and said committee shall view the lands of 
said Precinct at large, or till they he satisfiecir They no 
•longer confine their inquiries even to the " Overplus 
Land." The town is " all befoi'e them where to 
choose." 

A committee is chosen *•' to show them the land ; " 
another, to entertain them; another, of six members, "to 
take care to build the meeting-house, at the cost of the 



Precinct where it is located," making it " forty-five feet 
long, thirty-five feet wide, and of suitable height." 

On the " first Monday in May, at 3 o'clock in the 
afternoon," it is " Voated that the award of the commit- 
tee be accepted and recorded ; " which was as follows : 
" We doe award, Prefix, & Determine that the spot 
or place where their meeting House ought to be set, is 
on the Hill Commonly Called the Wigwam Hill, the 
centre of said spot being att a walnut Staddle of about 
four or five inches Diameter, there being a fast stone 
in the Ground, about two feet and a half northwest 
of said staddle ; said staddle standing twenty-eight 
Rods & sixteen Links, Running by a point of compass 
from the southwest corner of Mr. Noah Mirick's dwell- 
ing-house, south sixteen degrees thirty minits East 
unto said staddle." ^ 

It is done. After a struggle of six years, the " place, 
or spot of setting the meeting-house " is determined. 
Warriner's " seadar shingles," and Brewer's " good pine 
timber," and Stebbins's " Marchantable pine boards," 
and Warner's "slit work" have been seasoning and 
rotting on the hill for four years, waiting for the build- 
ers. The hour has come. Teams, boards, saws, ham- 
mers, axes, are now busy ; and so much progress had 
been made in the work, that, December 25, 1747, a 
precinct meeting is to be held, '• at the house of Na- 
thaniel Hitchcock or House of Publick Worship." And 

1 1 find l)y future notices that there was a common of about two acres on which 
the meetiny-house was placed. 



64 



again, March 15, 1748, the precinct meeting is said to 
have been notified in the same way. In January 23, 
1749, the precinct meeting was opened at the meet- 
ing-house, but adjourned to the house of Nathaniel 
Hitchcock, because, as I judge, it was too cold to 
remain for the transaction of business, where they 
could endure to remain, warmed by the fervors of 
devotion, to worship. There is no date of the first 
assembling for worship in the meeting-house ; but it 
was earlier than this, for in the church records it is 
stated that " Charles, son of Isaac Brewer, was baptized 
in the meeting-house, December 2o, 1748." Unques- 
tionably the house was used for pubhc worship at this 
time. That it was not used for that purpose much 
earlier is rendered very probable by the record of the 
next earher baptism, October 30, 1748. 

There is no record of any dedication services. It 
is probable that the settlers worshipped there as soon 
as the building was covered. Indeed, it was a mere 
shell for three years. The timbers of the frame were 
all exposed on the inside ; the seats were loose boards, 
or .slabs with legs in them ; the pulpit was a rough 
box ; not a trowel of mortar nor an ounce of paint 
was anywhere to be seen. The boards on the floor 
were loose ; the windows were mostly of boards ; 
very few panes of glass were used, if indeed any ; 
the winds whistled through the crevices, and the snow 
drifted over the floor and seats in the winter. Three 
years after this time, January 15, 1752, it is voted to 



55 

further finish the meeting-house by " Ceihng and Plas- 
tering, in order to make it warm, and if there be any 
Money Remaining, to Lay it out in Procuring mate- 
rial for seats." 

Such was the house our fiithers erected in their 
poverty for the honor and worship of God. This was 
their " hill of Zion," this their sanctuary. As they 
went up to worship, the land lay spread out before 
them. From its door the whole valley of the " Great 
River," from the mountains on the north, Holyoke and 
Tom, to below Hartford on the south, was visible. The 
open fields of the first settlers — of Burt and Hitch- 
cock and Brewer and Warriner and Merrick — were 
under their feet; and on to the west, over forests 
and meadows, could be seen the blue line of vapor, 
signalizing the homes of the old settlers in Spring- 
field Street ; or the wdiite cloud of fog, lying low 
along the tree-tops, indicating the course of the river 
from its gateway between the mountains to the settle- 
ment at Middletown. And beyond, more than twenty 
miles away, rose the blue ridges of the Green Moun- 
tains, tipped with gold in the morning, veiled in 
purple in the evening ; and when the frosts touched 
the forest in autumn, how the red maple flamed among 
the trees ; and the green of the pines and the yellow 
of the w^alnut caused the whole vast landscape to 
appear like a gorgeous carpet woven in the loom 
of the gods. The Lord's house was exalted upon the 
hills, and hither the tribes came up to worship. Daniel 



56 

Lamb turns his face eastward ; Springfield is no more 
his chief joy ; and Warner, from Stony Hill, and Sykes, 
from the "Great Rode," and Chapin, from the moun- 
tain, wind their way, when the " Sabbath " morning 
comes, through field and bridle-path and cart-road, to 
the meeting-house ; and Henry Badger, from Burt's 
Mill, in the present South Parish, five miles away, 
rouses his famih' even earlier than usual from their 
slumbers, plentifully feeds the trusty farm-horse for his 
hard day's work, and before the dew is off the grass, 
he starts, with his wife and little ones, on the way to 
Zion. Benjamin Skinner and Phineas Stebbins join 
him as he passes, and when they reach the site of the 
present South Parish Church, they find that Comfort 
Chaffee, from the hill south of Scantic, and William 
King, on the corner, have already started, and are on 
the way. They turn to the right up the hill, wearily 
climbing the mountain through the woods, past where 
the Widow Orin Cone now resides, — a timid deer now 
and then pausing a moment to gaze at the strange 
sight, then bounding away among the trees ; a fright- 
ened partridge breaking the silence by whirring off 
through the bushes ; — till the procession, on horse- 
back, and on foot, — for now, as before, to Springfield, 
the young men and the maidens thought the walk 
most delightful, — reached the road that came up from 
the west side of the mountain, at Samuel Stebbins's, 
where they met Paul Langdon, with the only wagon 
in the precinct, who had not only taken in his own 



57 

family, but Abner Chapin's, south of the Scantic, and 
Stephen Stebbms's, north of it ; and Lewis Langdon 
and Aaron Stebbins, who had come on horseback with 
their wives and Httle ones ; and they all went on to- 
gether up to the place of the sanctuary. They made 
their horses fast to the trees about the meeting-house, 
and after Christian inquiries for such news of their 
households and the precinct as their curiosity compelled 
and reverence could not restrain, they entered the 
sanctuary, of which, if they could not exclaim with 
David, " How amiable are thy tabernacles," they could 
cry out with the royal poet, " The sparrow hath found 
an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she 
may lay her young, even thine altars, Lord of Hosts, 
my God and my King!" 

After they were as comfortably seated as possible on 
the benches, in such order as had been prescribed, the 
" Worthy Rev. Noah Mirick," with wig or powdered 
hair and cue, bands and small-clothes and silk stockings 
and shoe-buckles of silver, entered the house, the con- 
gregation all rising as a token of respect. He read 
a hymn, then handed the book over the top of the 
rough pulpit — for there was but one hymn-book in 
the precinct, and that was the minister's — to Deacon 
Nathaniel Warriner, who named the tune, gave the 
pitch, read one line of the hymn, and commenced 
singing it; Warner and Brewer and Langdon and 
Stebbins and Moses and David and Hosea and Hul- 
dah and Jemima and Ruth following after, as ability 



58 



and strength permitted ; the deacon considerately, and 
as became the service of God's house, waiting, before 
he gave out another hne, till the most dilatory had 
finished. When the hymn was ended, the minister 
solemnly prayed, the congregation all reverently rising. 
When the prayer was over, another hymn was sung 
in the same manner. Then the sermon was preached, 
not seldom interspersed with the twittering of swal- 
lows above, or the crying of babies below. At last the 
benediction is pronounced, and the minister leaves the 
pulpit and passes out first, the congregation all stand- 
ing, as when he entered. The families now gather 
about in groups to eat their frugal dinners from the 
logs and stumps, which were abundant. The short 
intermission over, the afternoon service follows, similar, 
in all respects, to the morning ; after which they mount 
their horses, Paul Langdon again loading his marvel- 
lous wagon, and reach their homes at the going down 
of the sun, grateful that God has cast " their lines in 
pleasant places, and that they have a goodly heri- 
tage." Saturday evening is " kept " by these pioneers. 
So when the " chores " are done, and the sun is set, 
they are already "dressed," and ready to call upon 
their neighbors in a social or more affectionate way. 
Thus passes the " Sabbath," now the " Meeting House " 
is built on "Wigwam Hill, and the "Worthy Mr. Mirick 
prophecies " therein. 

But I must not linger any longer around these early 



59 

days and doings of our fathers ; a long way is yet before 
us to travel, and heroic deeds yet invite our rehearsal. 

The " Meeting House " is occupied, it is true, but it is 
far from being finished; and the remaining sixteen 
years of this period are witness to more or less earnest 
labor to build pews and seats ; to put in galleries ; to 
plaster about the pulpit; to lay the gallery floor; to 
build seats in it; to plaster under it; and finally to 
plaster the house wholly in 1756, nine years after it 
was occupied for worship. Before the last finishings 
were made, while the town was a precinct, the com- 
mittee are enjoined to repair the roof, which was leak- 
ing badly. The gallery seats were not all put in till 
the summer of 1761, sixteen years after the house was 
opened for worship. 

But finishing the meeting-house was an easy thing to 
do compared with the difficulty of " seating " it. This 
was work indeed. As there were no pews built for the 
first six years, there was no " seating " of the congrega- 
tion till Sept. 24, 1753, when a committee was chosen 
to attend to that duty. The precinct voted, " that the 
Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick have Choice of a pew ;" " that the 
men and Wimen be seated togeather ; " "' to Leave it 
with the Committee how Young Persons shall be seated;" 
and also " to Leave it to the Discreasion of the Committee 
by what Rule they shall be seated." There is no record 
either of the " seating " or of the " Rule " of this " seat- 
ing;" nor is there any record of the rule adopted at 
any of the subsequent " seatings." We know, however, 



60 

that it was customary to "seat" persons in order of age, 
or of civil or military dignity. The eldest persons oc- 
cupied the best, or highest pew, — for the highest pew 
in honor was often far from being best in position, — 
and those younger, the lower pews ; and only heads of 
families occupied the pews on the floor of the house. 
The young men and maidens, the boys and the girls, 
were " seated " in the gallery^ after it was so far finished 
that it could be occupied, where the opportunities and 
temptations of fun were abundant and not seldom at- 
tractive and irresistible, and where the services of the 
Lord's house were not always visible and sometimes not 
audible. 

Persons were often dissatisfied with their seats ; and 
it was not till after repeated trials that the audience 
were quietly disposed in their allotted pews and seats. 
I find that in 1754 a committee was chosen to "Rectify 
the mistakes of the former committee and to dignifie the 
seats." After further seats had been built and galleries 
put in and finished, January 1, 1760, the meeting-house 
is seated anew, but the " seating" was so unsatisfactory 
that another committee was raised in March to review 
the work of the former committee. The report of the 
first committee is recorded, that of the last is not. 
Here for the first time we have the names of the fami- 
lies in the precinct, and we can make a tolerably cor- 
rect estimate of the number of inhabitants here at this 
time. There are seventy-three men and six widows 
named, who are presumed to be heads of fixmilies, and 



61 

who occupy pews and seats on the lower floor. Of 
these, twenty-one are from what is now the South 
Parish. In the galleries there are seated twenty-six 
young men and thirty-one young women, fifty-seven in 
all. We shall not be -far from the truth, therefore, if we 
estimate the whole population of the precinct at this 
time at three hundred and fifty persons, at least ; per- 
haps there were four hundred ; of these about one hun- 
dred and ten or twenty were within the bounds of the 
present South Parish. 

Another very important subject, and difficult to man- 
age, was the disposal which should be made of both the 
" Ministry Lot " and the " Overplus Land," a part of 
which, that the south side of the Middle Division, on 
which Rev. Mr. Merrick's house stood, had been sold 
to him, but that on the south side of the Third Division, 
where the Langdons had settled, was still the common 
property of all the proprietors, and of course in part 
that of the precinct, as the " Ministry Lot " was by sup- 
position a proprietor. After long and tedious delays 
and impending lawsuits, the whole matter was at last 
disposed of so far to the satisfaction of all parties that 
it tvas disposed of, and could no longer be matter of 
question or dispute. 

As there were two " Ministry Lots " within the bounds 
of the precinct, — the one in the Middle or Second 
Division running across where Warren Collins's farm is, 
and the other in the Third Division where Mr. William 
V. Sessions's farm is, — and as these "lots" were the 



62 

common property of the town of Springfield, and hence 
the other precincts — Springfield, West Springfield, and 
Longmeadow — had a right to a proportionate share of 
their value, it was^ no easy task to satisfy, in any con- 
siderable degree, any of the parties. At last, however, 
this was also arranged, after repeated conferences of 
committees and years of discussion and concession. 
The income of the money obtained by the sale of these 
" ministry lots " is part of the fund for the support of 
the ministry which the respective parishes now^ have. 
By repeated conferences and compromises, the claims 
of Rev. Mr. Merrick to all the " Overplus Land " of the 
Middle or Second Division, about eight hundred and 
seventy-five acres, were so disposed of as to leave him 
a large and valuable farm, and the larger sympathy of 
his people. It is much to the credit of all parties that 
these land questions, so complicated and delicate, where 
so many proprietors were concerned, so many interests 
involved, were at last disposed of with so little ill blood 
and so equitably. 

The adjustment of Mr. Merrick's salary, which was 
estimated by the market value of certain necessary 
articles of consumption, became exceedingly difficult as 
the prices of the articles were fluctuating, and especially 
as the "Old tenor" currency so rapidly depreciated, 
and "Lawfull money" took its place in 1749. No new 
estimate of prices is recorded as having been made since 
his settlement in 1741 up to this time. We find that a 
large committee of " nine men " w^as raised, Dec. 24, 



63 



1750, "to make a new agreement with the Reveren*^ 
Mr. Noah Mirick Relatmg to his salary for the future." 
It is evident that the committee found their task a hard 
one, for there is no report from them till January 9, 
1753, three years after they were chosen. They then 
report a new scale of prices of commodities, changing 
the value of money from " Old Tenor " to " Lawfull 
Money," calling £326, 10s. Id. £43, 10s. 8d.; and every 
year hereafter, till 1760, a committee is chosen to agree 
with Mr. Merrick on the prices of commodities, and 
thus fix the value of his salary. In that year, January 
1, 1760, they "choose a Com*'^'^ to State y*^ Rev'^ M""- Mir- 
ick's Salary for the time to come." They report a fixed 
sum " in Lawfull Money " and nothing is said of " com- 
modaties." Each year, for three years, a committee was 
chosen to agree with Mr. Merrick upon the amount of 
his salary till the town was incorporated, when the old 
system of prices of commodities was revived. 

It is probable that troubles arising out of Mr. Mer- 
rick's claims to so much land, which necessarily brought 
him into antagonism with many of his people, and the 
almost insurmountable difficulties in arranging his 
salary, were the cause of some church difficulties which 
arose about 1754. I find that at a precinct meeting 
held, June 10, 1754, the following votes were passed, 
" Voated and Granted the sum df five Pounds Lawfull 
Money for defraying the Charges of Entertaining the 
Counsel to set in this Place on y" 17th of June next," 
also "Voated & Granted to Dea. Nath" Warriner the 



64 

sum of ten shillings Lawful! Money for Keeping the 
former Counsel." There is no record in the precinct or 
church books of the calling of this " former Counsel," 
nor of the proceedings or objects of either. But I find 
in the church records, June 21, 1754, that six persons 
make " publick confession of y'' guilt in absenting from 
y"" Lord's table," and four more, with five of these, " make 
publick confession in publickly Exhibiting and signing 
a Paper of Reproachful Charges ag* y Pastor." They 
" were accepted by y® church." What this paper was, 
what these charges were, I have found no means of 
determining. Eight out of the ten persons " making 
confession" were of the present South Parish. It is 
very probable that the "counsels" spoken of in the pre- 
cinct records had something to do with this difficulty. 

So the " Worthy Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick " found that 
the chastenings of the people if not of the Lord were 
laid upon him. We may learn that ministers and 
parishes now are not more troubled by " exciting sub- 
jects " than were those of " the olden time." It is not 
the quality of the subject, but the nature of man, which 
causes division; and till he can run away from himself 
there will be found occasion and existence of contention. 

Our ancestors, though so engaged in the establishment 
of their religious institutions, did not forget their schools. 
As I have already stated, the toivn of Springfield com- 
menced appropriations for schools in the '' Outward 
Commons, on the east side of the Great River, commonly 
called the Mountain," as early as 1737, and <£16 were 



65 

appropriated, during the four years next preceding the 
incorporation of the precinct. During this period of 
the precinct, a regular annual appropriation of money 
for the fourth precinct was made by Springfield till 
1763, when the town was incorporated. The whole 
amount appropriated up to 1755, during which years 
the sums annually appropriated are stated in the Spring- 
field records, was one hundred and fifty-five pounds, 
thirteen shillings and three pence, averaging ten pounds, 
seven shillings and six pence a year. For nine years 
this money is in '• old tenor " which was about seventy- 
five per cent, discount for " Lawfull money," which was 
the rate of reckoning after 1749. The amount usually 
appropriated annually during these last six years was 
four pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence ; and in 
1755, when the " rate of distribution was changed," we 
received '• six pounds, sixteen shillings and seven pence." 
This money was often put, by vote, into the hands of 
Dea. Nathaniel Warriner, to be disposed of as he judged 
best for the interest of schooling in the precinct.^ 

Before 1754, a school-house was built nearly opposite 
to where the present Congregational Church stands, for, 
January 31, 1754, a precinct meeting is held "att the 
School House in said Precinct." The name and fame of 
the early teacher, for years town and church clerk, Ezra 
Barker, usually called Master Barker, have come down 
to us bearing a multitude of traditions of his wit and of 
his rod, of the pranks of the boys and the tricks of the 

' Aj)peTi(Hx K. 



Q6 

girls, some probable, some true, some gross, some ingen- 
ious. That he was a good penman the records of both 
town and church testify, and I certainly, if no one else, 
owe him a debt of gratitude for the excellent manner in 
which he has kept the records and blessed my eyes. 

A few roads were laid out by the town of Springfield 
within the precinct, and some by the county ; but they 
were mere cart- or bridle-paths leading from one neigh- 
borhood and clearing to another. No work appears to 
have been done on them but to pick out a few stones, 
make crossings over a few brooks, and cat away the 
trees and bushes when they intruded too closely on the 
path.^ 

No literary productions have come down from this 
period except the precinct records, specimens of which 
are now for the first time printed ; a remnant of the 
" Jurnal of Samuel Warner," entitled " Clark," kept 
during the expedition, of which he was a member, to 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point during the French War, 
1759; and a celebrated poem, on the death of "Leut. 
Thomas Mirick's only Son," who " dyed, August 7th, 
1761, By the Bite of a Ratle Snake, Being 22 years, two 
months and three days old, and very nigh marridge," as 
faithful Clark Warner records. This poem had a wide 
circulation in both manuscript and print, and is the great 
Elegy of the '■ Mountains." Like the author of another 
immortal poem, the Iliad, its author and his residence 
are alike mythical; but his work and his fame have 

' Appendix F. 



67 

endured, and if, as in the case of the author of the im- 
mortal Greek poem, 

" Ten famous towns contend foi* Homer dead, 
Through which the living Homer begged his bi-ead," 

Longmeadow and Ludlow and Springfield will strive 
to rob Wilbraham of the honor of giving him birth and 
guarding his ashes, thej cannot rob us of the unspeaka- 
ble glory of having within our borders the grave of the 
immortal subject of the poem. Without waiting to in- 
voke the aid of muses or gods, either sacred or profane, 
the poet, seized and carried away with the magnitude 
and inspiration of his subject, burst forth, — 

" On Springfield Mountains there did dwell 
A Likely youth who was known full well, 
Leutenant Mirick's only sone 
A likely youth nigh twenty-one." 

I may well be excused from repeating the pathetic 
lines which follow, as I am informed that better justice 
can be done them by the plaintive music of '• y'' olden 
tyme " in which they will be sung after we are refreshed 
at the table. ^ 

The military eclipsed the literary renown of this 
period. Capt. Samuel Day, Lieut. Thomas Merrick, and 
Ensign Abel Bliss were commissioned as officers before 
1754; and for the French War which raged during 
this period, 1755-1760, the precinct furnished at least 
twenty-two men, whose names are enrolled in the 

' Appendix G. 



68 

archives of the State as among the patriots of that early 
period. Of these was Samuel Warner, who kept a 
Journal of the expedition of 1759, many of whose 
precious leaves have perished, and Isaac Colton, od, a 
precious memorial of whose patriotism is a will, made 
June 14, 1759, in which he disposes of his estate " on 
condition of not returning from s'^ expedition," and wit- 
nessed by •' Noah Merick and Abigail Merick." Thus 
early the spirit of patriotism inspired our citizens which 
has grown deeper and stronger to this hour/ 

The agricultural products of the town were becoming 
more various and more abundant ; the cultivated fields 
were growing broader and richer every year. The houses 
were more convenient and more comfortable in the 
winter season. Still there was little which would gratify 
the tastes or supply what would now be called the 
necessaries of a comfortable home. Bare floors, bare 
walls, scant furniture, the oaken table and chest and 
pine "settle" were the chief adornings of the frugal 
home. One marked exception is made, however, to this 
condition of the houses of the early settlers. Ensign 
Abel Bliss, whose enterprise and thrift have lost nothing 
in descent through three generations to his great grand- 
son, your townsman, John Wesley Bliss, who inherits 
and improves the old estate, is said to have gathered 
pine-knots and hearts, called candle-wood, with which 
our grandfathers and grandmothers illuminated their 
dwelhngs, in the south part of Ludlow and Belchertown, 

* Appendix U. 



69 



— it being forbidden to gather them but for hghts in 
the precinct, — and built a tar-kiln from which he made 
two hundred barrels of tar, which he sold for five dollars 
a barrel, realizing one thousand dollars, and built there- 
with a house which was the admiration, perhaps the 
envy, of all the people.^ 

At the commencement of this period, families began 
to come into the south part of the town. But, as 1 have 
already stated, there was not a settler within the pres- 
ent limits of the town south of the present division 
line of the parishes before 1741. South of a line 
draw^n due east and west across the town, on the south 
side of Mr. Cross's farm, there was not a house or culti- 
vated field. 

Stand with me on the top of the hill by Mr. Isaac 
Watts Leach's house, (the people of the South Parish 
will understand me,) and lift your eyes toward the 
south and west and northwest. Where now you be- 
hold fruitful fields and white farm-houses, one of the 
loveliest prospects in the town, was then unbroken 
by plough, untrodden by man. Spaces desolated by 
fires, and extended forests, are spread out before you. 
Not a smoke ascends from a settler's cabin, not an axe- 
blow breaks the profound silence. The Scantic flows 
through the mountains unobstructed by dam, unvexed 
by water-wheel ; and through the meadows it creeps 
languidly under the overshadowing alders and button- 
w^oods and elms, whose tops were covered with grape- 

^ A|)iK'ii(iix I. 



70 

vines pendent with purple clusters which no hand 
plucked, no lips relished. The trout floated securely in 
the pure current ; no treacherous hook was yet cast 
by cunning hand to draw him from his native element. 
Now change the outlook. We stand on the spot where 
Samuel Beebe, Esq. now resides. Look up that beauti- 
ful valley of the Scantic for two miles, the mountains ris- 
ing gracefully on the south, less regularly on the north. 
No sign of human life is there. The deer feeds undis- 
turbed in those openings ; the squirrel sports without 
dread of the hunter in those extended forests ; up past 
Stacy's on the right, up past the Cones' on the left, the 
embosomed side-valleys glory in the wild luxuriance of 
nature. Where are now a thriving village, busy ma- 
chinery, rich farms, luxurious homes, was wilderness, 
the "forest primeval." Such was the South Parish at 
the commencement of this period. 

In the spring of 1741, Stephen Stebbins, my great- 
grandfather, came out through the woods from Long- 
meadow and settled on the north bank of the Scantic, 
where Mr. Orville Pease now resides. The house which 
he built was removed more than half a century ago, 
and is now used for a barn and shed on the place of 
the late Col. John McCray, and the boards on the 
north side of that building are the same — so runs the 
tradition — as those which were put on by him one 
hundred and twenty-two years ago. Aaron Stebbins, his 
brother, built a few rods north, where Rev. Mr. Rock- 
wood now lives ; both these were brothers of Samuel, 



who settled some years before on the mountain, east o{ 
Mr. Cross's. Lewis Langclon settled on the corner, be- 
tween them, and built the first saw-mill in town, in 
1750. Abner Chapin, from Chicopee, took the first lot 
south of the Scantic, where his thrifty grandsons, Ralph 
Sumner, and Silas, Chapin, now reside. Capt. Paul 
Langdon, who brought the first four-wheeled wagon 
into the place, in which he moved his worldly goods 
and family, first from Salem, then from Hopkinton, then 
from Union, settled near the Potash Hill, on the farm 
which his great-grandson, John Wilson Langdon, now 
cultivates. On the east side of the mountain was Wil- 
liam King, a large land-owner, whose house was directly 
in front of the Congregational church. William Stacy, 
from Salem, settled where Gilbert Stacy now resides ; 
Moses Stebbins, a fourth brother, where Mrs. Beriah 
Smith resides ; Comfort Chaffee, who came from Wales, 
settled betw^een them, where Lothrop Chaffee, his great- 
grandson, resides. Li the east, on the Scantic, were Hen- 
ry Badger, from Union ; Isaac Morris, from Woodstock, 
grandfather of our President on his father's side ; and 
Benjamin Skinner. Jabez Hendrick settled near where 
his grandson, Hiram, has literally made the stones 
bread ; Daniel Carpenter, on the present Carpenter 
farm ; Ezekiel Russel, on Albert Beebe's farm, and Row- 
land Crocker, a little above. In the north part of the 
town, Jonathan Ely settled on the mountain, on the 
middle road ; Caleb Stebbins located on the fiirm 
now occupied by his great-grandsons, Jason and George ; 



72 

Daniel Cadwell near him ; Joseph Sikes on the '' Great 
Bay Rode ;" Phihp Lyon south of "Wigwam Hill," on 
the road leading to the south part ; Benoni Atchinson 
on Stony Hill, and not least, though last named, Ezra, 
entitled " Master," Barker, near Atchinson, — a goodly 
goodly company. 

The distance of the Precinct from Springfield Street, 
the regularly increasing population, the different inter- 
ests of the people, and their demonstrated capacity to 
administer affliirs, prompted the inhabitants, as early as 
January 16, 1749, "to cliuse three men [David Mirick, 
Isaac Brewer and Nathaniel Warriner] a Committee to 
Represent the Precinct to the town of Springfield in 
taking some measures to get set off for a town in this 
fourth Precinct." The action of the town of Springfield 
was unfavorable to their cause ; and they delayed further 
attempts till December 31, 1753, four years, when they 
again " voated to chuse a committee [Dea. Nathaniel 
Warriner, David Mirick and Lt. Sam" Day] to apply 
to the town of Springfield to see if they be willing we 
should be set of a District." Nothing seems to have 
come of this petition, for I find an article — on which, 
however, no action seems to have been taken — insert- 
ed in the warrant for a meeting, January 1, 1760, "To 
chuse a Committee to apply to the town to set us of to 
be a District." Again, January 1, 1761, it is "voted- 
that Deacon Nath. Warriner, Daniel Warner, William 
King be a Com*"'' to apply to the Town for their 
Consent that we be set of a District ; " and, in the fol- 



73 

lowing March, 24, 1761, it is '•' voted that the same 
QQ^^tee ^vJiici-j were Chosen to Apply to the Town to set 
us of a District be further Impowered to Apply to the 
General Court for a Confirmation of the same on the 
Precincts Cost and Charge." 

As obstacles rise, their courage rises. Failure inspires 
with new resolutions. They determine to try what virtue 
there is in new men and more of them, the south part 
of the precinct coming to the rescue, and the next year 
January 7, 1762, it is "Voted that John Bliss, William 
King, Daniel Cadwell, Stephen Stebbins and James 
Warriner be a Com*^^ to apply to the Town for their 
Consent that we be set of a District or Town." Not 
much progress appears to have been made in softening 
the hearts and subduing the wills of the Town, for in 
March following, 22, 1761, it is "Voted that Stephen 
Stebbins, James Warriner and Daniel Cadwell be a 
Committee to Apply to the Town and General Court, 
if need be, to see if they will sett of this Precinct a 
separate Town or District." These repeated petitions 
are evidently producing their effect, for once more in 
renewed vigor, they vote, January 3, 1763, " that Dec" 
Nathaniel Warriner, L" Tho' Mirick and Stephen Steb- 
bins be a Com*''*' in behalf of the Precinct to Apply to 
the Town of Springfield for their Consent to be Sett 
of a Separate Town or District, & that they be fully Im- 
powerd to Persue our Petition to the General Court in 
Ord^' to be Sett of afores*^." 

This committee succeeded in their endeavors. Four- 

10 



74 

teen years after their first petition went to Springfield, 
delayed, defeated, but never subdued or discouraged, 
they at last wring, by their tireless importunity, a fa- 
vorable answer to their prayer. Their petition was 
granted, and the Act of Incorporation was signed by 
Sir Francis Bernard, Governor of the Province, June 
15, 1763, — one hundred years ago this day, — by 
which act the fourth parish in Springfield was erected 
into a separate town by the name of Wilbraham, and 
there were granted to the town all the privileges and 
immunities of other towns with the anomalous excep- 
tion of the power of choosing a representative to the 
General Court ; in this election, they must still unite 
with SjDringfield. The consequence was that we did 
not have a representative till 1773, ten years after in- 
corporation, the two representatives assigned to the 
town being chosen the one from Springfield Street, and 
the other from West Springfield; and even then we 
were favored with one rather by the rivalries and jeal- 
ousies of the two sides of the river than by any love 
of justice in either party. West Springfield was es- 
pecially offended with Springfield Street, or the First 
Precinct, on account of the large share of town school- 
money which was appropriated to the support of the 
"Grammar School" on the east side. They there- 
fore conferred with Longmeadow, and agreed to give 
them the Springfield representative if they would unite 
with them and sustain their municipal policy. The 
bait took. Longmeadow went over to the west-side-of- 



75 

the-river policy, and sustained its platform. The old 
town, however, was apprised of the bargain and came 
out to the mountains to see what could be done. John 
Bliss — the grandfather on his mother's side of our 
honored President, and in whose veins the Bliss blood is 
fresh and strong and swift now, at four-score years, as 
when he saw the morning of the nineteenth century 
whose titles rise steadily, in the Records, from Mr. to 
Esquire, and from Esquire to Colonel, and from Colonel 
to Honorable — had recently removed from Long- 
meadow to Wilbraham, and was very popular there, as 
he came afterwards to be here. The Springfield men 
said to the Wilbraham men, " Vote with us and we will 
give you John Bliss for representative of Wilbraham." 
This was too shining a prize to be rejected. Town- 
meetino; came : and the " mountains " sent forth their 
hardy voters, for almost the first time, to make good 
the pledge and secure the honor. The West Spring- 
field men were filled with amazement when they came 
to the polls to see a host of strangers, of rough ex- 
terior, in deerskin breeches and rusty hats, and asked, 
"Who are these?" Their fate was sealed. John Bliss's 
old friends in Longmeadow, as soon as they learned that 
he was a candidate, voted for him, and he was chosen ; 
and as the Wilbraham men turned homeward, and the 
sun at his going down was making the mountains glow, 
they looked higher and nobler in their eyes, for their 
town had been honored above their neighbors that day, 
and they felt that they were a power in the State. 



76 



But I am running before my story. The territory of 
the Precinct was enlarged, in the act of incorporation, by 
the addition of a strip of land on the west side, from 
the " inner commons," half a mile wide, extending from 
Chicopee River to Connecticut line. In 1780, when the 
line of Connecticut was accurately surveyed, there fell 
to our portion another strip of land, called the " Ob- 
long " or " Wales," about a mile in width at one end, 
and three-quarters of a mile at the other, across the 
whole width of the town. And finally, to render any 
further allusion to the territory of the town unneces- 
sary, I will add that, in 1799, thirty-six years after the 
town was incorporated, that portion of the first divison 
of the " outward common of Springfield," w^hich lay on 
the east' side of Chicopee River, now called the "El- 
bows," then "Kingsfield or the Elbows," was added 
to the town. By these additions, the town was made 
four and a half miles wide, as far north as its western 
line extended. Its length, on the west side, was eight 
miles and one hundred and fifty-two rods ; and on its 
eastern side its length was ten miles and one hundred 
and thirty rods. 

But some of the early settlers had gone, and enjoyed 
not the ripe clusters of their hopes and labors. A few 
had left the precinct. Of the pioneers, David Merrick, 
Abel Bliss, Samuel Stebbins, and Paul Langdon, had 
died. There had been births to rejoice and deaths to 
grieve them during this period. Infancy and manhood 
went down to the grave, and the " grave-yard," which 



77 

they had raised many pounds to keep " decent," was 
becoming the sacred treasury of many of their dear 
ones. There had been eighty-eight deaths since the 
settlement, three before the incorporation of the pre- 
cinct. There had been also three hundred and twenty- 
five births, and if we include those born in the half- 
mile added from the "inner commons" and in the strip 
called Wales, annexed to the south end of the town, 
there had been three hundred and sixty-six births. 
The population of the town at the time of incorpora- 
tion, June 15, 1763, could not have varied much from 
four hundred and fifty or five hundred souls.^ 

III. The Third Period of our history now opens. The 
" Outward Commons on the east side of the Great Elver," 
the "Mountains of Springfield," the Indian " Minne- 
chaug " or " Berryland " has become a town, with all 
the rights and honors of a town of the Province of 
Massachusetts Bay ; Wilbraham is henceforth to be its 
name. 

The first warrant for a town meeting was issued by 
John Worthington, Esq., of Springfield, to Stephen Steb- 
bins, of Wilbraham, Yeoman, bearing date August 8, 
1763, requiring him " to warn the Inhabitants of Said 
Town of Wilbraham Quallifyed by Law to Vote in Town 
affairs that [they] meet and Assemble together at the 
Meeting House in S^ Wilbraham on Thursday the 
Twenty-first Day of Aug' Currant At one of the Clock 

1 Appciulix J. 



78 

in the afternoon Then and there to Choose a Moderator 
to preside and Conduct the Said Meeting — -and then to 
Choose all such Town Officers as may be Necessary to 
Manage the affairs of Said Town and Towns in this 
Province are by Law Oblige to Choose," " Stephen 
Stebbins, Yeoman, failed not " to " warn " the people, 
nor were the people slow to hear and obey the warning. 
They " assembled and met together " as required, Aug. 
25, 1763, and it was "Voted that L* Thom^ Mirick 
Should be Moderator for S*^ Meeting. Voted that Ezra 
Barker [he who was called Master Barker] Should be 
Clerk for Said Town." The meeting then adjourned to 
one o'clock the next day to give the " Clerk " opportu- 
nity to go to Springfield to be sworn, for there was no 
Justice of the Peace in Wilbraham in those days. 
" Josiah Dwisrht Jus* Peace " certifies that Ezra Barker 
•' took the Oath Respecting the Bills of the other Gov- 
ernment and the Same Time the Oath of Office as a 
Clerk for Said Town of Wilbraham." ^ Barker hastens 
back to town meeting at one o'clock, when the rest of 
the town officers are duly chosen: " Selectmen, Treas- 
urer, Constables, Assessors, Tithing Men, Surveyors of 
Highways, Fence Viewers, Dear Reaves, Sealers of Leath- 
er, Hogg Reaves, Wardens, Surveyor of Shingles, Cla- 
boards, &c.. Surveyors of Wheat." There is no tradition 
that there had been any caucusing previously to the 
meeting, but there was some sly waggery among these 

1 This office he held ten years to 1773, when James Wariiner was chosen in his 
stead, and held tlie office for twelve years to 1785, beyond the limit of this Period. 



79 

grandfathers of ours on town-meeting day. It is re- 
corded by Ezra, the Clerk, that " Serg* Moses Burt & W™ 
Stacy Hogg Reaves (were) not Sworn at This Time being 
ahscntr Four days after, the honest clerk records that 
« Serg* Moses Burt and W™ Stacy Refus*^ taking their 
oath of Office, Thef/ heing chosen Hogg Reaves!" 

Three officers are named here whose duties ceased, 
long since and of which the younger portion of this as- 
sembly require an explanation. The " Warden's " duty 
was to see that no trespasses were made on the common 
lands, by destroying the timber, and carrying off valua- 
ble property for private uses contrary to law. The 
"Dear Reaves" were to see that deer were not hunted 
and taken at unsuitable seasons of the year. The 
" Tithing Men " were to see that the Sunday laws were 
obeyed, and especially that frisky boys and girls in the 
o-alleries at the meetino;-house should restrain their 
playfulness and dumb telegraphing to each other w^hile 
the sacred services continued. The latter was a task 
requiring ceaseless vigilance, and often was regarded as 
" labor spent for naught and in vain." 

The town is now organized. Money must be raised 
and appropriated for highways, schools, the poor, and 
the ministry. We may well arrange our survey of this 
period under the three general heads of Municipal, 
Ecclesiastical, and Revolutionary History. 

At the second meeting, held, December 1, 1763, the 
first money was raised and appropriated : for the " Sup- 
port of Schooling," £15; for Mr. Merrick's salary, £51, 



80 

2s.; for the support of the poor, £2, 5s; for fines, 15s; 
pound, £2; service of bulls, £3, 10s.; contmgent charges, 
£1 ; in all, £76, 2s. The first money appropriated, be it 
known, and let it be borne in everlasting remembrance, 
was for the " Support of Schooling," an indication not 
to be mistaken of the value set by our fathers upon 
education. The sum is small, it is true, but they were 
poor, their harvests were scanty, their families large, 
and they were still struggling for the common comforts 
of life. 

At the next meeting, January 3, 1764, a committee 
of five is chosen to divide the " Town into Districts for 
Schools ; " and it is voted " that the said Committee 
Should Divide tlie Money Granted at this meeting for 
the use of Schooling in This Town and Proportion the 
same Equally to each District when Divided in method 
following, viz : one-half of said money to be Divided 
upon Poles and Estates and the other half to be Divided 
upon Children from 4 to 12 years of age." Thus in 
the very beginning was laid the unwise and troublesome 
system of school-districts, which have in many ways 
done much to render schools expensive and inefiicient. 
Though these districts were laid out in 1764, I find no 
record of their number or boundaries till 1775, when 
the old districts were remodelled and ten districts were 
formed, and the same year the town raised about one 
hundred and twenty-six dollars for schools, which would 
give to each district only the poor pittance of twelve 
dollars and sixty cents for the support of a school. The 



81 

whole amount of money raised for schools to 1774, ten 
years from the incorporation of the town was £217, an 
average of a little over £21 a year, or about $70. The 
two " School lots," which were assigned for the support 
of schools in the allotment of 1684, and also the share 
of Mr. Clark, who left the county and gave his land for 
the support of schools, were sold after very much diffi- 
culty and hesitation on the part of the town and of buy- 
ers. The income from this fund was added to the sum 
which the town raised. But one school-house w\is built 
in town during this period. It was on the mountain near 
where Mrs. Green now lives, and was erected at the ex- 
pense of that school-district. There were but two school- 
houses in the town, this and the one which stood, as 
early as 1754, nearly opposite the site of the present 
Congregational Church in the north parish. The 
schools were kept in the rooms of private houses, and 
not seldom were taught by the farmers who could read 
and write a little. There were three celebrated teach- 
ers, however, — Master Barker in the north part of the 
town, and Masters Moses and Enos Stebbins in the south 
part. The "lesser lights" of knowledge were few and 
dim. Dillworth's Spelling-Book and the Psalter, and 
later Webster's Spelling-Book and Third Part were the 
books used for reading and spelling ; Ilodder's and Root's 
Arithmetic for ciphering, when any scholar ventured 
upon that dark art. The master only had an arithmetic 
and the sums were given out to the scholar and written 
down; he "did" them at his leisure. No slates were 
11 



82 

used till after this period ; ink and paper, coal and board, 
nail and birch-bark were the mathematical apparatus. 
The knowledge commiinicated was very meagre, child- 
ren rarely attending school after twelve years of age, if 
the limit in the division of the school money enables us 
to determine.^ 

Passing from schools to Highways, we find that the 
first roads were accepted, March 20, 1764, " upon Con- 
dition that those Persons who are benefited by said 
Roads or Highways would Endemnify this Town from 
any Charge arising on Account of said Roads or High- 
ways." This principle was adhered to till after the 
Revolutionary War, perhaps through the century. The 
first Road "Established" was from "Third Brook so 
Called," near Miss Experience Stebbins's, in the south 
part of the town, running easterly and southerly 
through the southeast part of the town to " Wales " so 
called. A part of the way it was in the " Old Path." 
Paul Langdon was surveyor. The second road estab- 
lished was in the north part of the town, running from 
the " West Rode " or " Main Road," west to Stony Hill, 
not far from the present road. The roads varied in 
width from one to three rods and much care was taken 
to " establish " them so that they should run on dividing 
lines, or cross a lot at right angles when that must be 
done. Perhaps I may as well say here as anywhere, 
once for all, that the roads or paths appear to have been 
arranged according to a general principle or by a chance 
which proved to be a principle. 

^Appendix K, 



83 

The '^' Bay Road," as I have said, was on the north 
end of the town, crossing from west to east. From this 
road there ran south throuo;h the whole leng-th of the 
town, four paths, more or less used for foot-travellers, 
bridle-paths, or for wheels ; — the " West Road," so 
called usually, on the west side of the mountain ; the 
" Middle " or " Ridge Road," following the top of the 
mountain about a mile east of this in the north part of 
the town, descending the east side as it passes south, 
running over the Scantic and upjhe hill, south to Con- 
necticut line ; the " East Road," about a mile east from 
this, startinoj near " twelve-mile " brook and runnino; 
south to the south-east corner of the town; then one 
mile west of the " West Road " was the road on the 
west side of the " outward commons," nearly correspond- 
ing to the present road. By these roads the town was 
divided into four parts, each a mile wide, and the west 
one eisfht and the east one ten miles lono;. The 
roads crossing east and west had a similar regular ir- 
regularity. They were five in number ; — the Bay Road 
on the north ; the next road south, nearly where the 
present road comes from the mountain and crosses at 
the Methodist meeting-house going west ; the road cross- 
ino- the " West Road " at Deacon John Adams's : the 
road ffoing; west from the school-house a mile further 
south, and, two miles south of this, the road through, 
or rather over, the mountain ; for it ascended the hill 
from the present south parish common to Mrs. Beriah 
Smith's, then crossed the north end of the south moun- 



84 

tain, and, descending, crossed the " West Road" a little 
below Mr. Ralph S. Chapin's, bearing off westerly to 
Lono;meadow. These roads were all laid out or " estab- 
lished " at different times before, and from 1763 to 

1772, after the incorporation of the town. They were 
mere paths. Probably there was not a wrought road 
in town during this period. The bridge over the Scan- 
tic, near Mr. Silas Chapin's, was not built till 1768- 
This poor condition of the roads will appear evident 
from the money expended on them. The first three 
years no money was raised for roads, and £7, 17s. 8d. 
were paid as a line for " defective highways." Up to 

1773, ten years, the whole amount raised was .£257, or 
$837.67, which is but $83.76 a year. This sum would 
hardly clear the paths of stones and cut away the 
intruding bushes. Fast horses and two hundred pound 
bug-o-ies would be at a discount on such roads. There 
was very little riding but on horseback during this 
period, except when there was snow. There were but 
two two-horse wagons, and but five two-horse sleighs 
in the north part of the town before 1782. A man and 
his wife on the pillion behind him, one child on the 
pommel before, and the baby in the mother's lap were 
the usual travellers in these paths.^ 

The Ecclesiastical Affairs of the town went on by no 
means smoothly. The south part of the town was in- 
creasing rapidly in population, both by births and im- 
migrations, and was not disposed to aid in repairing 
the meeting-house, or building new pews in it ; and not 

' Appendix L. 



85 

seldom the controversies were sharp and long on these 
topics. Once, at least, as a compromise, persons were 
permitted to build pews at their own cost. 

The method of " seating; " the meetingi;-house was 
productive of more and more dissatisfaction, the doings 
of the " seating committee " being sometimes wholly 
rejected, and very often, almost always, amended. 

The proverbial difficulty of managing singing, and 
especially singers, was felt most keenly and treated 
most unwisely. It is evident that the " rising genera- 
tion," our grandfathers, were weary of the "leading" of 
good Deacon Warriner, who had now, from the " dea- 
con's seat" under the pulpit, raised the pitch, and lit- 
erally led the singing for over twenty years. The 
people generally felt that there was fulfilled among 
them the prophecy of the Prophet Amos, " The songs 
of the temple shall be turned into bowlings." Singing 
masters had made their way to the new town. New 
music came with them. The old tunes were laid aside. 
Strange feats of voice and limb were performed by 
mouth Jind arm when the new singers came into the 
seats in the gallery. The congregation could not sing. 
The poor deacon's voice was silent. Great were the 
" searchings of heart " among the ancients. Most un- 
fortunately of all, the town took the matter in hand. 
The wisdom of the fathers forsook them. The flames 
burned all the more fiercely for being fanned. The 
second article in the warrant for town-meeting, Sep- 
tember 24, 1770, was "To see whether they will come 



86 

into some method or ao;reement for more Resi-ular Car- 
rying on the Singing in the PubHc worship in this 
town than it is at the present time ; " and the third, 
" To see whether the Town will be willino; to sino: four 
Times in the Publick worship on the Sabbath for the fu- 
ture." It is pretty evident that this movement origi- 
nated with the new singers. They appear to be 
ambitious to excel in quantity as well as quality. 
There seems to have been no opposition worthy of 
record to choosing the committee asked for, and ten 
men were chosen " to be a Com., to take into considera- 
tion the Broken state of this Town with reo:ard to 
Singing in the Publick Assembly on Sabbath Days, and 
to consult together and agree upon some Plan or 
Method whereby to encourage & promote regular and 
Universal Singing in said assembly, & make report there- 
of to this or some future meeting." On the 22d of Octo- 
ber, at the adjourned meeting, the committee of ten, 
Nathaniel Warriner, John Bliss, Thomas Mirick, Moses 
Stebbins, William King, Ezra Barker, Daniel Cadwell, 
John Jones, Eliezer Smith, and Phineas Newton make 
an elaborate Report covering two pages of the book 
of Records in Master Barker's best handwriting, 
in which a list of twenty-three tunes, — " called Low 
Dutch, Windsor, Old lOOd, New lOOd, Stroudwater, 
Meer, Buckland, Broomsgrove, Bangor, St. Martin's, 
Warwick, St. Hellens, All-Saints, Little Marlborough, 
Cambridge, Portsmouth, Southwell, Quercy, Worksop, 
Wantage, Standish, New York and 149 Psalm Tune," — 



87 

is given, which " shall be made use of in the Publick 
worship of God in this town;" this " List is to be trans- 
mitted to Mr. Morgan (now singing-master in this 
Town) in order that he may Teach or Instruct his scliol- 
lars to Sing them according to Rule." No other tunes 
are to be introduced without "consent." Dea'' Nath'l 
Warriner is to (Ave the lead in sing-ino- on the fore- 
noons on each Sabbath & one of the Young Men lately 
Instructed by Mr. Stickney (as they shall agree among 
themselves) give the lead in singing in the afternoon of 
each Sabbath for the space of three months from the 
Date hereof, excepting when Mr. Morgan is present, 
then it is expected he Avill carry the singing." They 
also report " that all who Assist in Singing Shall be at 
their pleasure either to Stand or Sit when Singing with- 
out giving Offence to any ; that the singers lately In- 
structed by Mr. Stickney who are seated in the Gallery 
of the Meeting House are at their Liberty to make a 
decent and orderly Exchange of Seats as They Shall 
agree among themselves and so to Set for the SjDace of 
Three Months from the Date hereof and no lono-er, or 
else to continue to Set as they were last Seated; " and 
'" Gthly " and lastly, " that w^hoever shall lead in the 
singing shall be at Liberty to Use the Motion of his 
hand while singing for the Space of Three Months from 
the Date hereof or a shorter Space as need shall re- 
quire." Thus far " the committee " " propose to be 
tr^ed by Vote." The committee then recommend, that 
"as the Beating with the hand in the Congregation 



88 



when singing is offensive to some it be laid aside as 
quick as may be and confine the same to the school 
only ; that all in the Town whose voices will admit of 
it speedily use proper means to get themselves ac- 
quainted with the art of Singing Ruleably & well, — 
in the mean time " they " recommend to all both old 
and Young to Join in Singing in the Worshiping as- 
sembly and to sing as well as they can ; and lastly," 
say they, " we cannot but recommend to ourselves & 
others to studdy the Things which make for peace, and 
the things whereby we may Edify one another." 

The town voted what the committee recommend- 
ed. But it is evident that the flames were not to be 
quenched by any such appliances. " Three months " 
grace and " no longer " is given to " Beating with the 
hand " and occupying " exchanged seats " if they can 
agree to exchange, which is very doubtful. The con- 
gregation are all to " sing, as well as they can," it is 
true, but to " Join in Singing " at any rate. The Stick- 
neyites in the " Gallery " would hardly be satisfied. The 
compromise is like Nebuchadnezzar's image, gold in the 
head, but " clay and iron " in the legs and feet. So it 
turns out, as the "three months" are expiring, that an 
article is inserted in the warrant, January 7, 1771, "to 
pass any votes in further addition " to those before 
passed " as the Town Shall think proper by further 
leng-thenino; the Time of the Present Mode of Sino-ins:." 
This article came from the " Gallery " party evidently. 
It is followed by another which came from the " dea- 



89 

con's seat," as evidently. Hear it : " to make Inquiry 
into the conduct of those ivlio call themselves the smge7^s in 
this Town, and see wheatlier they have conducted or 
proceeded agreeable to the report of the Town's Cora*"", 
and the Town's vote thereupon at our last Meeting and 
pass such Vote or Votes as shall be thought Necessary 
in Consequence thereof." Greek has now met Greek. 
At the meeting it is voted, " that Dea" Nath'l Warriner 
Shall continue to Set the Psalm as Usual Durino; the 
Town's Pleasure ; also that Moses Warriner and Jona- 
than Bliss do the same." The "young men" are voted 
down ; tlie " Galleries " are in a minority ; so it would 
seem. But there is abundant life in young blood, and, 
rallying their strength, "a motion was made whether 
the singing should be performed in the congregation 
according to the late mode by Beating with the hand, 
&c. ; it being put, and the House being Divided it 
passed in the afhrmative, 25 against about 19." The 
"Deacon's Seat" now loses, but does not ^deld ; for "a 
motion was made" to Deside it by the Town List or by 
Lawful Voters, and after some Debate it was thrown 
by and the following vote passed, namely. Voted that 
the Piev. Mr. Mirick be Desired to call a Society meet- 
insj: in order to come into some method of Reconcilia- 
tion with regard to Singing in the Publick worship." 
They adjourn ; and no more is recorded or known of 
the result. Poor Mr. Merrick had cares enough of an- 
other kind, as we shall soon see, without being dragged 
into this controversy about the singing. Thus ended 

12 



90 

the great struggle of the town respecting the method 
of " Carrying on the Singing in the PubHc Worship of 
God." I have dwelt upon it at greater length than the 
subject itself deserved, because it is a good illustration 
of the attempts of our ancestors to regulate minute 
affairs by town action. Let us learn wisdom from their 
mistakes. 

Another and much graver difficulty called for all the 
wisdom and patience of the town. The conditions of 
the " Worthy Mr. Mirick's " settlement were of such a 
kind as to render it more and more difficult to fulfil 
them. Every year a Committee conferred with him 
and agreed upon the price of commodities : and then 
there was the use of the " Ministry land" whose income 
he was to have, and whose leasing and renting and care 
were a great annoyance. More than all, I think Mr. 
Merrick was as good a farmer as preacher, and that his 
thrift on the "Overplus Land," given to him as a settle 
ment, was not a small occasion of delay and dislike in 
paying his salary. A good farm is a dangerous thing 
for a minister to own among; farmers. His thrift is all 
open to view and begets envy. Mr. Merrick had a fam- 
ily of promising boys now entering upon manhood, 
some already arrived at it, and two negroes to aid in 
the field and one in the house, giving him an appear- 
ance of abundance and increasing riches. The town 
were not disposed to aid any more than they could help 
in " multiplying his prosperity." 

As early as Jan. 7, 1771, a movement is made to give 



91 

up the attempt to settle the salary on the prices of 
"Sundry Species of Commoditys," and the sum of 
" Fifty one Pounds Ten Shillings, lawfuU Money of this 
Province " is voted by the town and accepted by Mr. 
Merrick instead, and papers were exchanged between 
the parties, January 6, 1772. It is also agreed that the 
" Ministry Land " shall be sold, on condition that £6 be 
added annually to Mr. Merrick's salary, and the sale is 
made and bonds are given amounting to £348, 13s. 5d. 
or $1162.20, the interest on which is to be paid annu- 
ally for the support of preaching. 

Mr. Merrick's health failed in 1772, and difficulties, in 
addition to all the others, of a serious nature arose about 
supplying the pulpit and paying his salary while he was 
sick. Matters came to a crisis, July 14, 1775, and the 
town not only refused to raise Mr. Merrick's salary, but, 
after hearing read a very frank statement made by him 
of his sickness and offering to relinquish five Pounds 
out of his salary for the current year in case the town 
should " Employ Some Learned Licenced Preacher for 
three months next ensuing," and in the " same propor- 
tion " for " every three months thereafter in case " he 
" should not be able to supply the pulpit before the Ex- 
piration of Said Term," and provided also that he 
" should be paid the remaining part " of his " salary 
according to" their "agreement," yet after a "Long 
Debate a motion was made and Seconded to Dismiss 
Mr. Mirick ; then voted to Dismiss Mr. Mirick from the 
Gospel Ministry upon his being willing; then voted to 



92 

adjourn to the 4tli day of September next. At that 
meeting " Mr. Mirick's answer was read " again " and 
not excepted by the town." The committee of confer- 
ance is enlarged and are directed to " Wait on Mr. Mir- 
ick again and see if their Grievance couki not be re- 
moved." Tliey " weighted on Mr. Merrick with two 
votes passed " and received the following answer : — 

" To the Inhabitants of Wilbraham in Town Meeting 
assembled, Friends and Neighbours : Considering my 
bodily Infirmity and Difficulty of Supplying the Pulpit 
Steadily for the present, I hereby engage (provided you 
accept of it) to relinquish out of my annual salary Eight 
Shillings per Day for as many Sabbaths as you shall be 
obliged to hier a preacher on account of my failing 
through inability. S'^ Engagement to continue one 
year from date hereof & no longer — if my Life should 
be continued so Lons;. 

"Yours, - N. Merrick. 

" Wilbraham, September 4, 1775." 

This answer was read in " a very full Town meeting 
& not Excepted." They vote " to chuse another com- 
mittee to draw up a List of Grievances and Lay them 
before Mr. Mirick & agree with him to Call in Sister 
Churches ; then after a Long Debate," says the town 
clerk, " there was no Committee chose." The old com- 
mittee was directed " to wait on the Rev'^ Mr. Mirick to 
Know if he will ask for and Receive an Honorable Dis- 



93 

mission from the work of the Ministry in this town and 
unite with the to^vn in Cahing a Council for that pur- 
pose — further voted as the opinion of this town that 
a Minister has no Right to any Salery or maintenance 
as a Minister any Longer than he performs the work of 
a Minister." The clerk adds, " N. B. the above votes 
past by a very grate majority then the meeting disolved." 
These votes do not read well after a century. The 
spirit is harsh w^ien we remember that Mr. Merrick was 
sick and has shared with them the days of small things. 
It is evident, however, that the mind of the town is not 
only made up, but also made up very unanimously and 
decidedly. The subject of Mr. Merrick's " sallary " came 
up again at the next town-meeting, November 6, 1775, 
and we read that " the Rev'^ Noah Mirick's Salery w^as 
put up two or three times to be Granted from Jan. 1, 
1775 to January 1, 1776, but no vote could be obtained," 
though he sent to the town-meeting a letter in which he 
proposes to relinquish out of his salary "four pounds," 
because the town " had hired some Sabbaths j)reaching 
in the preceding Summer by reason of" his "failing 
through bodily Infirmities " which is the " proportion 
agreed upon," if they would pay him the remainder of 
his "salary according to Engagement." The subject 
came up again, November 20th, but "no vote could be 
obtained to grant the Rev'^ Noah Mirick's Salery." Op- 
portunity for consideration and consultation only fixes 
more deeply the purpose of refusal. At a meeting, held 
February 23, 1776, whose business was exclusively that 



94 

of endeavoring to adjust this difficulty, a committee of 
seven, " Lieut. John Hitchcock, John BHss, Esq., Moses 
Stebbins, Ser* Daniel Cadwell, Cap* James Warriner, 
Ser* Philip Lyon & Cap* Paul Langdon," was chosen " to 
wait on the Rev*^ Noah Mirick to ask for and see if he 
wont be willing to relinquish his Clame or Challing to any 
Sallary from this people for the future." There is no 
record of any report from this committee at the next 
meetincT, March 19, thous^h there was an article in the 
warrant to receive their report. If any was made, it was 
unsatisfactory, for at the next meeting, March 28, they 
" Voted to make Mr. Mirick an offer of a sum of money 
yearly during life in Case he will ask for a Dismission 
& join with the town to call a Council for that purpose," 
and then chose a new committee of five persons to 
" wait on the Rev*^ Mr. Mirick." The meeting " ad- 
journed for the space of one hour, then met and opened 
said meeting and Voted and Dismist the Rev*^ Mr. Mirick 
from the work of the Ministry in this town." And they 
further chose a committee of three, Moses Stebbins, L* 
Daniel Cadwell and Ser* Noah Stebbins, " to apply to 
Sum orthodox Candidate to supply the pulpit in this 
town for one month." This is pressing the matter with 
earnestness, if not with either prudence or justice. 
Another committee is chosen in May to " hire preaching 
two months." Mr. Merrick grows feebler and the town 
grows bolder. In May, the parties show themselves 
more clearly than before. It is evident that there is 
some relenting on the part of a joortion of the town. 



95 

though it appears from the record that the church had 
also voted to call a council. Nothing is said of this, 
however, in the church records, nor of this trouble. 
When the subject comes before the meeting, May 20, 
1776, they pass over the article " to see if the town will 
coincide and join w^ith the church in calling a Council 
to settle the unhappy Diference betwixt the Rev. Noah 
Mirick and town and make provision for S*^ Council and 
Support the Charge," and vote to reconsider the " former 
vote past, March 28, 1776, viz: Voted and Dismist the 
Rev. Mr. Mirick from the work of the ministry in this 
tow^n, which vote is Reconsidered made nul and void." ^ 
The day dawns. There is yet hope of a safe and 
honorable deliverance. We wait, therefore, with worthy 
solicitude the action of the meeting, July 2d. A new 
committee of five persons is chosen to " wait on the 
Rev'^ Mr. Merrick and ask what his demands are on the 
town;" and it appears that his reply was, " What the town 
owes me," for they put themselves right in the case 
by further voting all Mr. Merrick's "Sallary to the 28 
Day of Last June that has not been granted heretofore." 
The wisdom of the fathers is returning. They choose 
a committee to hire preaching, for Mr. Merrick is too 

^A Council was held, however, June 25, for, December 9, the sum of £5, 5s. 4d. is 
"granted to tlie Church Com'" to pay Mr. Ellsworth for speaking at the Council," 
and to " Mr. Seth Adams for keeping the Council in June 25, 1776, £3, 15s.," and 
to Capt. James Warriner for 5 jornies for himself and horse and expense of minis- 
ters, £1, 8s. 4d." "and Nov. 3, 1777, to Gideon Burt, 17s. 6d. for keeping Mr. 
Ellsworth and horses for the Council in June, 177G," and this Council recommended 
that a Council of both town and church be called to dismiss Mr. Merrick, for I find 
an article in the warrant for a town-meeting to be licld on the 4th of November, 
1776, to that effect. 



96 

infirm to perform '* the worlv of the ministry," and 
another committee " to wait on our Rev*^ pasture to 
make a final settlement with him and report at this or 
some future meeting." They adjourned to September 
2d ; met and adjourned to October, " and but four per- 
sons met no meeting could be opened so the meeting 
Concequently Disolved of it self" Mr. Merrick's health 
was still declining and a committee was chosen to sup- 
ply the pulpit for six months, at a special meeting held 
in September. In November there is an article in the 
warrant to see if the " town will unite with the church 
and chuse a Council to Dismis our Rev'^ pasture agree- 
able to the Late result of the Rev'^ Council & Chuse a 
Com"'"' for that purpos." The meeting met and ad- 
journed to December 9, when no vote was passed re- 
specting calling a Council, but Capt. John Shaw, Mr. 
Moses Stebbins, & L* Noah Stebbins were chosen a 
" Com"*''' to wait on Mr. Mirick with a coppy of the 
Last Grant made him of his Sallary and see if he will 
accept and be content therewith and Give a Discharge 
from any further Clame on the Town by way of Sallary 
and make a Reporte at some futer meeting." 

This is the last recorded action in this protracted and 
painful transaction.^ The " Worthy " Mr. Merrick was 
rapidly sinking to his grave ; going to his reward. He 
died, December 22, 1776, aged sixty-six years, after a 

^ The final settlement with the heh"s of JNIr. Merrick was not made till 1784, 
eight years after his death. The town then " Granted to the heirs of tlie Kev* Noah 
Mirick what was Due to him for his Salary & Avhat was Due by tl^e sale of the 
ministry laud included the sum [of] £48, 15s. Id. 2f" 



97 

ministry of thirty-five years and six months. He was 
son of Jaines, the son of Thomas Merrick wlio came from 
Wales and settled in Springfield, 1636. He was born, 
August 6, 1711, and graduated at Yale College, 1731. 
He was a good scholar and preacher for his time. " He 
had a well-balanced mind, trained to close application 
and study. The doctrines inculcated by the text were 
logically treated. His style is plain rather than orna- 
mental." '• I infer," writes his grandson, " that his reading 
was not extensive and systematic. His Scripture quo- 
tations were appropriate, and show a thorough knowl- 
edge of the Bible, which was his best library. He did 
not always write out his sermons, but made sketches 
like lawyers' briefs, from which he preached. He was 
very methodical in his habits, exact in all his Avays and 
punctual in the performance of every duty. Saturday 
was his preparation day for the solemn duties of the 
Sabbath. At an early hour he retired to his study, and 
no one was permitted to interrupt him. His meals 
were carried to his room, and he did not appear in his 
family till Sunday morning." He was an Arminian in 
his opinions, if universal tradition can be relied upon, 
and it is not improbable that this may have had some 
influence in breedino- disafTection at last in the town and 

O 

church. The church-book shows the usual amount of 
success in the ministry. One hundred and seventy-two 
joined the church, one hundred and three owned the 
covenant, and six hundred and four were baptized, and 
thirteen were dismissed to other churches. Cases of 

13 



98 

discipline were very few, and never resulted in expul- 
sion, or if so, no record is made of the fact. 

Mr. Merrick's labors were not disturbed by the con- 
troversies of intrusive sectaries till near their close, when 
the Baptists appeared in the northeast part of the town, 
organized a society in 1768, and Rev. Seth Clark was 
settled, 1770. No serious collision appears to have 
arisen between the churches, however, and the harmony 
of the town Seems, not to have been disturbed. One 
lesson, at least, we may learn from this long struggle : 
there was trouble among the fathers not less than 
among us in their ecclesiastical aflfairs, and no one who 
reads their records attentively can sigh for the old ways 
and the times of the fathers.^ 

From the death of Mr. Merrick, 1776, there was no 
settled minister in the north part of the town till 1787, 
a period of eleven years. But the people in the south 
part of the town had so rapidly increased that, as early 
as 1765, they made application to the town for money 
to support preaching among them in the winter, which 
was promptly refused. At the December meeting, 
1767, the town refused the "Southpart" the privilege 
of having " Two Months Preaching in the Winter Sea- 
son upon there own cost!' Such a vote would not con- 
ciliate the Stebbinses and Langdons and Morrises 
and Chaffees. They rally in 1772, and ask to be set off 
as a town, but are voted down summarily. In 1778, 
after a struggle at several adjourned meetings, and the 

1 Appendix M. 



99 

report of a committee, they vote to divide the town into 
" two parishes ; " but it was afterwards reconsidered. In 
1780, they again urge their claim to be a parish upon 
both town and General Court, and press it with vigor till 
at last they gain their object, and are set off as a Parish, 
June 11, 1782. The line between the parishes from 
Springfield to Monson was on the south side of David 
Bliss's farm, those adjoining the line being permitted to 
choose whichever parish they pleased.^ 

Near the close of this period, January 10, 1780, 
Deacon Nathaniel Warriner, one of the first four settlers 
of the town died, in the seventy-seventh year of his 
age. He was called to the most important offices of 
trust in both precinct and town. Besides the important 
office which he held in the church from the very be- 
ginning, and to which he gave a " full sacramental furni- 
ture," he was moderator of many of the precinct meet- 
ings, sharing the honor with Thomas Merrick, and al- 
most exclusively moderator of town meetings for seven 
years to 1770, when John Bliss of the south part ap- 
pears on the stage, and succeeds for many years to the 
deacon's honors. Having no children, on whose shoul- 
ders the mantle of his virtues and the results of his 
industry and economy could descend, he gave at his 
decease £400 " Lawfull money" or about $1300 to the 
town, " to be the one-half given to the support of a 
Gospel Ministry, the other half to be to the use and Sup- 
port of Schools in this town, Provided that all other 

^ Appendix N. 



100 

Churches which are or may be in this town of a Differ- 
ent Constitution from the Standing order of Churches 
in this Land Shall Forever be Excluded from Receiving 
any Benefit from the same." He is the first, and, I am 
sorry to say, the last benefactor of the town, who has 
giv^n a sum for public purposes equalling this donation. 
The children in our town are to-day reminded of the 
worthy deacon who first and last remembered gener- 
ously our public schools, by additional advantages which 
his testamentary act gives. Thus closes this period of 
the Ecclesiastical History of the town. There are now 
two Parishes, the North and the South, and the Baptist 
Society, which had erected a meeting-house in 1779. 
Hereafter the municipal affairs of the town will be 
separated from the ecclesiastical, and the course of our 
history will be more easily traced. 

The epic of this period yet remains to be recited, — 
the words and deeds of our fathers during the Revolu- 
tionary War. Having so long detained you, I hardly 
know whether I should beg your pardon for the present 
challenge of your endurance in this crowded hall, and 
close here and now my story, or whether I should be 
encouraged, by patience so long-suffering, and attention 
so steadfast, to take my manuscript in my hand and 
read in your ears the heroic deeds and acts of your 
fathers. [The President loudly said, " Go on, Sir, go 
on ; " and his words were caught up with great earnest- 
ness all over the platform and through the hall.] I ac- 
cept your challenge of strength and endurance thank- 



101 

fully, and girding myself anew for the task, will, in words 
as worthy as I may, all unworthy, at the best, of the 
theme, rehearse the doings of the town during the war 
of Independence. The subject is as rich in inspiration 
as in instruction for us, — the children and grandchildren 
of these men, — in this hour of our country's trial and 
peril, when the continent trembles under the tread of 
contending armies, and the air is torn with the thunder 
of cannon, and the war-shout. The records are fidl of 
the proceedings of the town, — passing resolutions of 
sympathy with the suffering city of Boston ; sending aid 
to the families whose members were killed or wounded 
at the Lexington fight ; sending men into the field by 
the payment of large bounties ; furnishing their share 
of beef to the commissary; giving clothing to the half- 
naked soldiers; choomig committees to '■Hake care of 'per- 
sons " inimical to the State ; struggling with a depreciated 
currency; voting one silver dollar in paying taxes to 
be equivalent, first to seventy-five, then to eighty, then 
to two hundred and fifty dollars of paper money ; filling 
a draft of every seventh man; and leaving the crops in 
the field to be harvested, as well as planted, by the old 
men, the children, and the women. Such is a glance at 
the deeds I am to rehearse, and to whose recital I sum- 
mon your renewed attention, and challenge your iron 
patience.^ 

The great cause of the Revolutionary War — taxation 
without representation — had stirred up a deep feeling of 

' Appendix O. 



102 

hostility to the mother country, and the indirect man- 
ner in which the tax was levied — by a tariff on import- 
ed goods from Great Britain and the British possessions 
— only added fuel to the flame. They could not escape 
the tax, unless they ceased using the goods imported. 
If they made no purchases, they would pay no taxes. 
Accordingly an association was formed in 1769, by the 
merchants in Boston, whose members pledged them- 
selves to import no more of the taxed articles, and the 
citizens were petitioned to cease trading with all mer- 
chants who would not pledge themselves to import no 
more of them from England or her dependencies. This 
pledge of the citizens was not only circulated in the 
town of Boston, but was also sent to all the towns in 
the colony. The appeal from the merchants reached 
the citizens of this town in the spring of 1770, and at 
a town-meeting held May 1, of which Lieut. Thomas 
Merrick was moderator, it was " Voted that the Mar- 
chants not only of our Metropolis but thro' the con- 
tinent have acted Generous and as becoming; Gentlem 
[en] of a Free Constitution and as well wishers of their 
Fellow Men in that they have Nobly Preferred the 
Public good to their own private Interest, and with a 
view to obtain a Redress of those Grievances so Justly 
complained of have by a Certain agreement engaged to 
Suspend their Importations from Great Britain, a Meas- 
ure which cannot but be approved by every wise and 
Generous Man, and which we hope will prove Instrumen- 
tal to Effect the Salutary Design in View." " Voted that 



103 

the above vote be recorded in the Town Book and a 
Copy thereof to be transmitted to the committee of In- 
spection in the Town of Boston in order to be Pub- 
lished." 

This is the first voice from Wilbraham, five years 
before the battle of Lexington, and it is every way 
worthy of the men and the crisis. Our hearts swell 
with gratitude as we repeat the words. We feel taller 
and stronger as we remember they were the words of 
our ancestors. " , ^ 

The town clerk, the renowned Master Barker, adds 
to his record of the above vote, " N. B. It was moved 
in the Meeting to pass some Votes relating to not pur- 
chasing goods of those, who, contrary to the merchant's 
agreement, continue to Import, and also relating to the 
Horrid Murther lately committed in Boston by the 
Soldiers: but a rumour that the Duty acts were repealed, 
and being an Infant town [mark the modesty as well as 
the manliness of the fathers, for the town was not yet 
seven years old] in the Province, the Meeting thought 
Prudent not to Show themselves too forward in passing 
many votes in the affair." Their patriotism is sur- 
passed by nothing but their modesty. They desired no 
quarrel with the mother country, and hoping the '' ru- 
mour of repeal" was true, they passed over without 
action the article "to see if this town will take care 
Speedily to Procure and Provide a Stock of Powder 
and Ammunition." 

No further action was taken by the town lor the 



104 

next three years. The controversy was carried on 
mainly between the colonial Governor and the citizens 
of Boston, though active correspondence was kept up 
with other towns in the State. At at own-meeting, held 
April 6, 1773, Ezra Barker, Isaac Brewer, Eleazer Bliss, 
John Bliss, and Nath'l Warriner were chosen a commit- 
tee " to take into Consideration Corresponding with 
the town of Boston relative to the Crown fixing Sala- 
ries upon our officers without our Consent." At an 
adjourned meeting, held April 20th, '-at 3 o'clock, P.M.," 
this committee make their report in reply to the appeal 
of the Boston Committee, drawn up in part by Samuel 
Adams and Joseph Warren, and presented to the town- 
meeting of Boston, November 20, 1772, by James Otis, 
that flaming torch of the Revolutionary struggle. In 
what words could these simple citizens of young Wil- 
braham respond to the sentences of fire which came 
blazing from the pen of Adams, and thundering from 
the lips of Otis ? Listen to them, — modest, maYily, 
heroic: "We, the Inhabitants of the town of Wilbra- 
ham this 20th day of April A. D. 1773 in town-meeting 
Lawfully assembled by adjournment Take this oppor- 
tunity to acknowledge the favour of a Pamphlet printed 
by order of the town of Boston at their meeting Nov. 
20th, 1772, wherein the rights of the Colonists are 
Stated together with a List of publick Grievances or 
Infringements of those rights, &c., we freely acknowl- 
edge that we are a few Days later than might justly be 
Expected, & perhaps some will say that we are fore- 



105 

closed on account that the Honorable House of Repre- 
sentatives have taken the matter in hand, others may 
venture to Say that Seeing Wilbraham is bid an Infant 
town, the Inhabitants thereof are bold and Imprudent in meddling 
with the affair : Since the most anticent towns in the Same 
Country [Mr. President, Sprhigfield must look to her 
laurels] have lain still and done nothing ; we answer that 
ive have a call to be very bold to stand for and maintain our 

JUST RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES, 652?e'c/a//y «/ this SO CRITICAL TIME. 

And if we may be allowed to use Scripture Language 
we would have recourse to the words of Elihu and say, 
I am young and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid 
and Dust not Show you mine opinion. I Said Days 
should Speak, and multitude of years should teach wis- 
dom. Bat there is a Spirit in man, &c., — Therefore I Said 
Hearken to me I also will Show mine opinion. — Behold, 
/ ?t'mV^c? for words, &c. Thus far the Introduction, and 
after taking thankful notice of the late conduct of the 
honorable house of representatives we will proceed to 
a few resolves." In these resolves the committee say it 
is (1) " the Opinion of this town that the rights of the 
Colonists as stated in the Boston Pamphlet in general 
are well and Justly Stated and we have too much 
reason to believe that there is an attempt made to 
abridge us of those rights, which is Cruel and unreasona- 
ble ; (2) that in faithfulness to ourselves to our pos- 
terity and as friends to the English constitution and 
nation as well as faithful and Loyal Subjects to our 
Sovereign Lord the King, we may not dare Sit Still a.-i 

14 



106 

Idle Spectators and do nothing, Wherefore Considering 
ourselves a part of the tvhole, and members of the same 
Body and that our Interests are Joint Interests (3) we are 
willinor & will unite and Join with our Brethren in 
pursuing all Proper & Lawful methods whereby we 
may gain redress of those Grievances So Justly Com- 
plained of and which are like to prove So hurtful to 
the good Subjects of the King as well as Dishonorable to 
his Crown. (4). Resolved as the opinion of this town that 
we are not Sensible that we or our Brethren of this Pro- 
vince have Done anything thus to forfeit our Just rights 
or to merrit the Displeasure of our Sovereign, but on the 
other hand we verily Believe that the People of this 
Province and throughout the whole British america are 
as true and as Loyal Subjects as any in the King's Dominions, 
at the Same time we Cannot omitt Saying that it is with 
Pleasure we observe Stiddiness and firmness of the people 
in their resolutions as well as good temper in standing for 
and maintaining their Just rights and Priviledges and that 
all mobs, routs and riots are laid aside — and Further- 
more we are of opinion that if petitions for redress in a 
proper Channel were repeatedly and humbly presented 
to our King & our earnest prayers Continually put up to the 
King of kings the Same accompanied ivith a universal reforma- 
tion this w^ould give us reason to hope that our Priviled- 
ges wold be restored & Continued to us and that we 
might yet remain a happy People." Resolves every 
way worthy the age of heroes and sages. 

After the report had been read, it was " Voted that 



107 

the above be Recorded in the Town book, & that the 
town clerk transmit a coppy thereof to the Committee 
of Correspondence in the town of Boston as quick as 
may be." The clerk is careful to note at the bottom of 
his record, "A copy sent to Boston." Thus the echo 
went back from the " mountains " to the sea, and the 
hearts of the people were strengthened. 

The state of affairs grew no better, and in December, 
the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor by a 
party of citizens disguised as Indians, among whom 
was Robert kSessions, who soon afterwards settled in this 
town and became one of our most worthy and influen- 
tial citizens. No action was taken by the town, March 
15, 1774, on an article in the warrant "to see if the 
town will pass any votes relative to the Letters Sind 
[signed] by our present Governour & Lieut. Goyernour 
& some other Gentlemen Sent home and returned to 
Boston and Sent to Wilbraham to be Emiditatelv Laid 
before said town." These fathers of ours had no time 
to give to a consideration of the reasons ofl^ered by their 
tory "Governour and Lent. Governour," Hutchinson and 
Oliver, why they should surrender " their Just Rights 
and Priviledges ; " even the Prayer of the Colonies for 
redress, presented to Parliament by the hand of Frank- 
lin, had been spurned from the house. Their arms were 
as strong as their hearts, and their muskets as true as 
their principles. 

In June of this year, 1774, Gage filled Boston with 
troops, and the Common was covered with tents. A 



108 

special meeting of our citizens was called, June 23d " to 
see if the town will take into Consideration the Preca- 
rious State of the Liberties of North America & more 
Especially the Present Distressed condition of this In- 
sulted Province & pass any vote or votes on the Let- 
ters or Covenant which are So Called sent from the 
town of Boston to the town of Wilbraham to be Sub- 
scribed by all adult Persons of both sexes in S*^ town 
and pass all such votes on the above Said articles as the 
town Shall by any way or meathod think proper or 
Convenient." 

The town-meeting was " very full." " Mr. John Bliss 
was chosen moderator. It was voted that Dea. War- 
riner Should Desire Mr. Mirick to Come and Pray accord- 
ingly Mr. MiricJc opened S'^ meeting hy prayer." This is the 
first record of a prayer being offered at a town-meeting, 
and eminently significant of the deep seriousness felt 
by the citizens, and their consciousness of the moment- 
ous interests which were at stake. After the prayer, 
they take up the business before them with- a mixture 
of dependence and independence on foreign direction 
as well as with patriotic devotion. 

"After several Letters or Covenants sent from the 
town of Boston to the town of Wilbraham were read, it 
was further voted after Largely Discoursed upon that 
Some tvords Shoidd he Dashed aid in the first article in the 
Covenant and some he aded, voted that the Last article 
in the Covenant should be all Dasht oid, & voted there 
Should be ivords aded under the Last article in the Cove- 



109 

nant ; voted and chose Dec'' Warriner Lieut. Thomas 
Mirick & James Warriner a Com*'' to make Enquiry to 
See what oilier towns Do before they send S*^ Covenant to 
the town of boston & voted that S'^ Com**^ Should not 
Send Said Covenant without further orders from S'^ 
town. This covenant says, "there being no alternative 
between the horrors of Slavery or the Carnage and 
desolation of a Civil war but a Suspension of all Com- 
mercial intercourse with the island of Great Britain, we 
do solemnly Covenant and engage with each other (1) 
that from henceforth we will Suspend all Commercial 
intercourse with said island of Great Britain * =="' '='■ and 
(2) that we will not buy, purchase or Consume or Suffer 
any person by for or under us to purchase or Consume 
in any manner whatever any goods weres or mer- 
chandize which shall arrive in America from Great 
Britain * * * === and that we will break off all trade 
Commerce and dealings whatever with all persons who 
Preferins; their own Private intrist to the Salvation of 
their now perishing Country shall stiU continue to Im- 
port goods from Great Britain or shall purchase of 
those who do Import and (3) we agree to purchase no 
article of merchandize of any who do not sign this 
covenant." Then follow the signatures of one hundred 
and twenty-five patriotic men, who, it is to be presumed, 
were heads of families.^ 

A " very full town-meeting " was held a month after, 
July 29, 1774, at which Messrs. Daniel Cadwell, William 

■ Appendix P. 



no 



King, Moses Stebbins, Eleazar Smith, John Sterns, John 
Bhss and Ezra Barker, were chosen a committee " to 
draw up some resolves agreeable to the house of repre- 
sentatives respecting the Covenant Sent from Boston." 
After an adjournment of the meeting " for a Short 
Space in order that said Commitee prepare S** Resolves," 
the meeting is again opened and the committee, after 
professing loyalty " so far as " their " Liberty and the 
nations Good will Admit," report that " the Continuation 
of a trade with Great Britton under our present Situa- 
tion wold be unprofitable & very Dangerous," and that 
" a non Importation & agreement Should be universally 
adopted by all the British Collonies in america but being 
sensable of the Impropritu of this tonm Prescribing meas- 
ures for the ivliole of America we do Cheerfully approve of 
the measures adopted by the Late Honorable House of 
Representatives '=' * * Proposing a Congress of the 
Colonies '•■ '=' '•' whose result & advice we Shall Stand 
ready to adopt as far as tve can consistent ivitli good Con- 
sciencer While they deprecate mobs and riots as " in- 
jurious to the cause of Liberty " they recommend " the 
moderate peaceble & Steady persuance of Some Proper 
means for Redress with Dependance upon a divine 
Benidiction." They continue their resolves by saying, 
"we Do Sincerely Intend Speedily to contribute to the 
relief of Boston & Charlestown suffering under the rod 
of oppression," '•' * "we cannot look upon any person 
or persons who will not adopt these salitary measures as 
friends of their country T * * '•' " We shall not think our- 



Ill 

selves Oblige''," continue the committee, " to Shoiv any 
Special regards to them: if they be judges in Law or 
attorneys at the bar we tvill neglect them as much as jjossi/jle, 
or if ministers of the Gospel or common people tve shall 
think ourselves under no obligations to /Special Beneficence to 
themr And further " Resolved that for the Encoura^ce- 
ment of the Hono"" Gentlemen Chosen as a Committe 
for the Congress" the same persons be a committee to 
communicate these above "Resolves to them & they 
are hereby desired & Impowered to communicate the 
Same as quick as possible ; " and " our proportion of the 
money for the gentlemen to the Congress" was sent 
with the resolve, the faithful clerk is careful to inform 
us. 

These fathers of ours felt that higher wisdom than 
man's was needed in the " great crisis " and they finally 
" Resolved that as God in his providence is frowning 
upon the Inhabitants of this Land in the Civil Distresses 
ivhich lue hegin to feel & mang others which we Can Easily 
fore bodc^ we think it proper to Set apart one Day in 
three months as a Day of fasting & prayer to All Mighty 
God for his help in our Deliverance and in this way 
Look to that being for Relief by whom Kings Reign k 
princes decree justice, Sensable for our Encouragement 
that in this way God was wont to relieve people of old, 
& that the appointment of the particular Day be left 
to our Rev'' Paster or the Select [men] of the town." 
They then " Voted very unanimously & Granted tiventy- 
five pounds to provide a town Stock of ammunition as the Law 
directs. 



112 

The Provincial Government and the people were be- 
coming more and more hostile, and in October of the 
same year, 1774, at "a verij fall meciing Maj. John Bliss 
was chosen a Deligate for a Provincial Congress to be 
holden at Concord on the Second Tuesday of October 
Instant with in Structions : " " which Said in Struction 
that was given him," says the clerk, "was taken out of a 
newspaper;" "and a Commitee of Correspondance & 
Inspection w^as Chosen consisting of Missrs. Nathaniel 
Warriner, Ser* Daniel Cadwell, Lieu" Wm. King, Maj. 
John Bliss, and Elezar Smith." Though I can find no 
record of his having been chosen by the town, it is evi- 
dent that John Bliss had been previously sent to a 
" county Congress " at Northampton, for I find under 
date, Nov. 11, that the town " Voted and Granted to 
Maj. John Bliss for 25 Days Servise as a Deligate in 
weighting upon a County Congress held at Northampton 
some time in the month of September & as a Deligate in 
weighting upon a Provincial Congress held at Concord 
on the Second Tuesday of October, 1774, at 5s per day 
the sum of Six pounds five Shillings." 

It was important that no more money should be paid 
to the Provincial Government, that the sinews of op- 
pression might shrivel. Accordingly, November 14, 
1774, the constable or collector of the town w^as directed 
not to pay any more money into the hands of "Harrison 
Gray, Esq., treasurer of the province, but to pay it into 
the hands of Henry Gardner, Esq., of Stowe, who is ap- 
pointed receiver general by the provincial Congress." 



113 

There were tories in town and some professedly neu- 
tral persons who needed attention, and, January 2, 1775, 
a committee of fifteen was chosen " to See that the 
Con tin en til and Proventil Cons-resses associations and 
resolves are Strictly attended to." At the same meeting 
they chose " Maj. John Bliss a Deligate for a provential 
Congress proposed to be held att Cambridge the first 
day of february next or Sooner if Cald for ; " and chose 
a committee of seven " to Collect a Dona.tion for the 
Poor of the town of Boston and See that the Same is 
Transported as soon as may her A body of "minute 
men " had already made " Extraordinary preparation " 
for " immediate Service," and that service was soon to 
be called for and promptly rendered. 

General Gage, commander of the British troops in 
Boston, had determined to get possession of the ammu- 
nition and arms of the province which he heard were 
stored at Lexington and Concord. On the night of the 
eighteenth of April the troops stole out of Boston 
hoping to reach Lexington without being discovered, 
but the concerted signal flashed from the spire of the 
New North Churcji, and Paul Revere was instantly on 
his way from Charlestown to Lexington, rousing the 
inhabitants on the road, so that when Major Pitcairn, 
who led the advance of the troops, reached the Com- 
mon he found the " minute men " of Lexington drawn 
up in arms before him. He ordered them to disperse. 
They stood their ground. He ordered his men to fire. 
That volley opened the Revolutionary War. Couriers 

15 



114 



were despatched on the fleetest horses to arouse the 
people everywhere and carry the flaming torch of alarm 
through the country. On the 20th, we may suppose 
just as the sun was passing the meridian, a rider was 
seen coming down the Bay Road at full speed, his horse 
dripping and smoking with sweat, who barely checked 
his pace before Samuel Glover's door, and announced 
the fight, calling upon the "minute men " to hasten to 
the rescue. He was off" and out of sight on his wa}^ to 
Springfield in a moment. Blood had been shed ! Glover 
mounts his horse and rides, as he never rode before, 
down by Jones's and Bliss's, calling on them to come on 
as he goes. Brewer and Merrick, and Warriner the 
captain of the minute men, rush in from the field. 
The long roll is beaten by Charles Ferry, so that the 
mountain answers it from Oliver Bliss's to Noah Steb- 
bins's. Merrick mounts his horse and flies down the 
west road to the Hitchcocks, and the Stebbinses, the 
Chapins, and the Langdons, by the Scantic. Burt tells 
his most vigorous son to cross the mountains by Rattle- 
snake Peak as swift as the winds ever swept over them, 
and rouse the Crockers, the Cones, the Russells, the 
Kings, and to stay not his speed till all the men of 
the south valley, from the corner to Isaac Morris's, were 
summoned to the march ; then to return without delay 
along the east road by the Chaffees', Hendricks', and Car- 
penters', and over the mountains by Rev. Noah Merrick's, 
home. It was done as quick and as well as said. 

" Edward," said Isaac Morris to his son, your father, 



115 

Mr. President, " bring the horse." And as soon as he 
had slung his powder-horn over his shoulder, put his 
bullets into his pocket, and taken down his trusty gun 
from its hooks, the faithful steed was at the door. 
Breathing a prayer for his heroic wife, standing by in 
speechless submission, he was off at full speed on the 
track of young Bart, and passing up the same road. 
Comfort Chaffee and Jesse Carpenter joined him, and 
rocle for the mountain, while Enos Stebbins and Asa 
Chaffee, from south of the Scantic, rushed over to Wil- 
liam King's and together up the middle road, taking 
Ezekiel Russell and Rowland Crocker in company, and all 
joined those coming up the west road and over the 
mountain, at a barn then standintr near the site of the 
present school-house on the main street. 

Before the mountain ceased to glow with that day's 
departing sun, thirtj^-four men, with the blessing of their 
wives, and the prayers of the fathers who were too old 
to go into battle, w^ere on the "great Bay Road," 
hastening on their way to defend and, if need be, to die 
for their rights. But the "red-coats" had returned to 
Boston in fewer numbers and more rapidly than they 
left it, and our "minute men" returned after ten days 
to the quiet and security of their own homes. Such 
was the " Lexington alarm." ' 

A company of forty-five men, thirty-four of whom 
were of this town, was at once organized under the com- 
mand of Capt. Paul Langdon, as eight months' men ; 

' Appendix Q. 



116 

they were encamped in Roxbiiry and formed jDart of 
the army which besieged Boston.^ 

While these miUtary movements were made, the mu- 
nicipal action of the people did not slacken. At a town- 
meeting, May 26, 1775, which was " very full, Maj. John 
Bliss was chosen a deligate to represent the town in a 
Provincial Congress proposed to be held at Watertown 
on the olst day of May with the following instructions," 
namely, " that the provincial Congress pertition to the 
Governour to call a General Court that the Representa- 
tive body may pertition to the king & parliament that 
our Gravience may be repealed, not to act under the new 
Council appointed by the King, but act under the old 
Council & to see whether the Kino; wold not herken to 
a pertition from a representative body that our greavi- 
ence may be strictly attended to & herd by the king & 
parliment an be Repealed." 

Little did these honest farmers of Wilbraham know 
of the heart of a king, especially of that of King George 
III, " by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, 
Ireland and Wales," but not, thank Heaven, much longer 
to be king of these colonies. As well might these an- 
cestors of oars have attempted to soften the rocks of 
their mountains with their " humble pertitions " as his 
heart; as well might they have attempted to turn the 
Scantic back to the hills as to turn his purpose. Our 
fathers were' in earnest, however, and voted that " Each 
of the Resolves of the Continental & Provintial Congress 

^ Appendix li. 



117 

should be Strictly attended to by the town," and two 
persons were chosen in " addition to the former com- 
mittee of Correspondence." 

It is evident that a very close watch was kept upon 
those who were suspected of faithlessness in heart or 
weakness in knee, for, at a town-meeting, September 2, 
1776, an unsuccessful attempt was made, after a "Large 
debate," to remove " L* Wm. King and Mr. Enos Steb- 
bins " from the committee " of Correspondence, Inspec- 
tion and Safety & in the rome and Sted thereof Chuse 
two other members for S'' Com"^" The Article to see 
if the town " will immediately furnish themselves with 
a town stock of amoiunishon & fire arms if it can be 
procured " was also " past over & not acted upon." 

In the autumn of 1776, there was fear of an invasion 
from Canada, and the town furnished thirty-two men, 
under the command of Capt. Daniel Cadwell who ren- 
dered service "at Ticonderoga from December 5, 1776 
to April 2, 1777." The town, as well as the whole 
State, was startled, September, 1777, by what was called 
the " Bennington Alarm/' and a company of fifty-two 
men, under the command of Capt. James Shaw, left 
town, September 24, for the seat of danger. They were 
present on the opposite side of the river at the surren- 
der of Burgoyne at Saratoga. As there was no call for 
further service, they returned and Avere discharged, Oc- 
tober 18, after a campaign of only thirty-two days. 
The next November the town voted to pay the soldiers 
marched on the alarm towards Bennington, £11.' 

' Appendix S. 



118 

It was found very difficult, after the first gush of 
patriotism was spent, to obtain men for the war, espe- 
cially for any long period of service, and £12 bounty 
was offered for volunteers, March 18, 1777, to fill up the 
town's quota of " every seventh man." 

From organizing the militia, and furnishing soldiers 
for the army, the town turns to framing a constitution ; 
and instructions were given, May 23, " to [Maj. John] 
Bliss and [Capt. John] Shaw," representatives from the 
town, to form " Such a Constitution of Government as 
other Kepresentatives of this State in one body with the 
Council Shall Judge best Calculated to promote the 
happiness of this State,"'which body they are directed to 
join ; but they are " to take head in all their Doings and 
be StricUt/ careful in forming jSaid Constitution that the just 
RIGHTS, Leberties & Priviledges OF THE PEOPLE in General he 
loell guarded & Secured against all unjust Incroachments 
whatever '■''■ * '=' that in all their proceedings they have 
Special recorse (as an assistance) to a Little book or 
Pamplet Intitled ' The People the best Governors, or a 
Plan of Government, &c.,'" and finally, that '' they use their 
influence and endeavors that such acts or Laws as have 
ben already anacted and are like to prove hmiful to this 
or any State be amended or repealed." Jealousy of power 
in the hands of government is shown most distinctly in 
these instructions, and will be found deeply ingrained 
into the very heart of our fathers all through their 
history. 

At this time, the trouble with the depreciating paper 



119 

currency begins to make its appearance. Silver coin, 
in which taxes must be paid, could not be obtained ex- 
cept at a high premium, and it was very difficult, almost 
impossible, for the people to pay their taxes. Instruc- 
tions are therefore given by the town, November 21, 
1777, to Col. John Bliss and Capt. John Shaw, represen- 
tatives, " to use their influence to repeal the act made 
for Calling in the States money." 

The suffering's of the soldiers in the field and of their 
families at home were becoming so severe as to call for 
the action of the town, and at a meeting, held January 
5, 1778, five men were chosen a committee ^' to Collect 
Donations for the Continential Soldiers belonging to 
this town. And L* John Hitchcock, Lewis Langdon 
and L* Ebenezer Russel were chosen a committee to 
take care of those families that their husbands are (/one into the 
war for the term of three years or During the Avar." 
Bounties, and gratuities, sir, to suffering soldiers in the 
field, and destitute wives and children at home, were the 
custom and glory of our fathers, and I cannot, I will not 
attempt to, repress my indignation which burns along 
the nerves of my wdiole frame, at the miserable miscre- 
ant and miser, who now, in this day of our country's 
peril, sneers at the calls repeatedly made in aid of our 
gallant soldiers in the field and of their worthy families 
at home; impudently asserting, in his criminal ignorance, 
that our revolutionary heroes were not made of such 
penurious stuff, when his own mother or grandmother 
was fed by the hand of charity, and his fi\ther or grand- 



120 

father welcomed with tearful eyes and bursthig heart 
the shoes and stockings, sent him by his considerate 
friends at home, to protect and warm his bleeding, naked 
feet. It is hardly Christian to have patience with such 
shrivelled souls. Let them receive the contempt of 
every noble-hearted man and woman ; and let their 
names become a hissing and a by-word wherever hero- 
ism is admired and generosity honored. I will not beg 
pardon for this outburst of indignation. I must speak. 
The blood of the dead, the sighs of the living, compelled 
me. If there is a craven or a traitor here, let him speak, 
for him only have I offended. 

The constitution or frame of government which had 
been framed for the State during the past year was 
submitted to the people for acceptance, and this town, 
March 26, 1778, voted against it, "24 votes in favor 
and 51 against." There is no record of its objectiona- 
ble features. A call was made upon the town for its 
quota of seven men to join General Washington's army 
at Fishkill, New York, and a bounty of £60 was of- 
fered. May 11, 1778, to those who should volunteer; 
and if none volunteered, the same sum was to be 
given to the seven men who might be drafted. Two 
days after, at another town-meeting, clothing was voted 
to the soldiers "equal to one-seventh part of the male In- 
habitants, agreeable to a late act of the General Court." 
And I find an article, in a warrant for a town-meeting to 
be held in August, " to see if the town will make 
Choise of Some person or persons to procure Shirts, 



121 

SJioes and StocJdngs for the Continential Soldiers agreeable 
to a Late act of the general court of this State." There 
is no record of choosing such a committee. The town- 
clerk was absent and a clerk inv tern, officiated. It is 
probable he did not make full returns, for I find that 
money is appropriated at the November meeting '• to 
pay for cloathing procured for the Continential Souldiers, 
£101, and for one pair of shoes omitted for a Continential 
Soldier, £2, 2s." ' 

The difficulty of raising men increased as the war 
went on. Paper money was rapidly depreciating, and 
the volunteer could not rely, for a month, upon the 
nominal value of his pay. The town endeavored to 
obviate this difficulty by offering grain, at a fixed price, 
instead of j)aper monej^, to all who would " Inlist." It was 
voted, June 22, 1779," that Each man who would Inlist 
into the Continental army for the Term of nine month 
and Join the Continental Army for that Term for Each 
months Service they shall have Forty Shillings Pr. 
month, wheat at 6s. Pr. Bushel, Rie at 4 Shillings Pr. 
bushel. Corn at 3 shillings Pr. Bushel, oats at Is 6d Pr. 
Bushel, wool at 2 shillings Pr. Pound, flax at lOd. Pr. 
Pound in addition to their Continental Pay & State 
Bounty." A committee is chosen " to Procure the 
above articles," and to draw on the treasury for money. 
After an adjournment of half an hour, apparently for 
free consultation, wheat is put at " 4s. Pr. Bushel, Rie 
at 3 shillings Pr. Bushel and Indian Corn at 2 shillings 

' Appendix T. 
16 



122 

Pr. Bushel." The meeting adjoarned for half an hour, 
then for six days, when it is voted, June 28, that, if 
men do not volunteer, the men who are drafted shall 
have the same bounties ; and, also, to quicken action, 
it is " voted that this Town will advance 200 dollars ad- 
vance pay to be Reducted out of their forty Shillings a 
month according as the above S*^ Committee Shall ad- 
judge Right and Equitable Between the Town and Said 
Soldiers." 

Agreeable to the advice of the delegates, who met 
at Concord, another convention is called to form a new 
constitution for the State, to meet at Cambridge, and 
Capt. Phineas Stebbins was chosen " Deligate," August 
16, and the following carefully prepared instructions 
were given him, — which show most signally that our 
fathers were scrupulously, if not wisely, jealous of the 
personal rights of the people and of the power of the 
government, — namely, (1) "As to the Choice of Gove- 
nor Lieut. Govenor & Counsil that they be Chosen An- 
nually by the People; (2) That all Civil officers be 
Chosen Annually by the People; (3) That no Town in 
this State be allowed to send more than two Represen- 
tatives in one year to the General Court; (4) that no 
Civil officer be a Legislative Officer at the same time ; 
(5) that all the abov^ officers Shall be Professors of the 
Protestant Religion." Thus instructed, their " Deligate" 
joined his associates at Cambridge on the first Wednes- 
day of September. 

The prices of commodities had become so irregular 



123 

and uncertain that an invitation was sent out from a 
"Committee who set at South Had ly, Signed E. Porter," 
to the towns "to choose delegates to meet in convention 
at Northampton to adopt a scale of prices which shall 
be uniform and permanent." " Lieut. John Hitchcock 
and Doctor Sam'l F. Merrick" were chosen delegates. 
In September, a committee of eight is chosen to take 
their report into consideration, and to report " to the 
Town what they think the Prices of the Several Arti- 
cles (therein set Down) ought to be." I find no report 
of this committee. It was found, probably, that the 
subject was too complex to admit of the application of 
any specific rules. 

The enemies of their country grow bolder as the 
burdens of the war increase, and renewed vigilance is 
demanded of the friends of freedom. A committee of 
seven was chosen in September " to take Care of Per- 
sons IN THIS TOWN Suspected to be Enemical to the 
American States," and they are "directed to demean 
themselves accordins; to the Present Laws of this 
State." 

The difficulties which hindered the raising of men 
continued to accumulate. The demand was imper- 
ative, the work, well-nigh impossible. A desperate 
rally was made in October, and £400 were raised for 
the soldier's bounty and mileage money, and subscrip- 
tions were opened that the money might be promptly 
obtained, the sums subscribed to be deducted from the 
taxes of the persons subscribing. Forty-three names 



124 

are recorded as subscribers. Lieut. John Hitchcock 
subscribed the largest sum, fifty-five dollars. In No- 
vember, the town voted £2,860 (the sum shows how 
paper money had depreciated) to the soldiers gone for 
nine months.^ 

The convention, which assembled at Cambridge to 
frame a constitution, finished their work in the winter 
and sent it out to the people for ratification. This 
town at their meeting, April 28, 1780, chose a com- 
mittee of nine members " to take into Consideration 
the frame of Government agreed upon by the Deli- 
gates of the People of the state of Massachusetts Bay 
and make a report to the town-meeting in May next." 
This act is most characteristic of the early citizens of 
Wilbraham, and clearly indicates their desire to have 
their wise men examine deliberately the form of gov- 
ernment they were asked to accept and adopt. The 
committee did their duty thoroughly, and, at the meet- 
ing. May 29, no less than ten amendments were pro- 
posed by the town, all of them limiting the powers of 
the government, shortening the terms of offices, and 
extending and securing power in the hands of the 
people. As amended, the constitution received forty 
votes; and there were thirteen votes given for it "as it 
stood in the book." The constitution was adopted by 
the State, and the first town-meeting was held under it 
September 4, 1780, when John Hancock received sixty- 
nine votes and James Bowdoin ten votes for governor ; 

1 Appendix U. 



125 

and James Warren nineteen votes, " Thomas Quishin " 
[Gushing] sixteen votes, Samuel Adams twelve votes, 
John Adams eleven votes, and James Bowdoin eleven 
votes, for lieutenant governor. The uncertainty of po- 
litical popularity is signally proclaimed by the fact that 
a few years after John Hancock received but one vote 
for governor. 

The war is drawing to a close. Washington succeed- 
ed in shutting Lord Cornwallis up in Yorktown, and the 
whole British army, under his command, surrendered 
October 19, 1781. But the heart of the king was not 
softened, and men and money, and beef and blankets, 
and shoes and stockings, were yet needed and demand- 
ed. The town granted, October 13, 1781, £8,000 to 
procure 8,310 cwt. of beef, and in November they 
granted £2,000 more to finish the purchase, directing 
their committee*" to give no more than one hundred 
& twenty pound pr. hundred for S*^ beef" In the same 
month. November 23, 1781, the town "voted that the 
Committee pay out all the money Granted for the nine 
months Soldiers at 80 Dollars pr. bushel for wheat, 50 
dollars pr. bushel for rie, 33 Dollars and two shillings 
pr. bushel for Indian corn, that is not paid out." In 
answer to the call for fifteen men for three years, or 
during the war, it was voted that " 150 silver dollars or 
paper at the exchange " be paid to each man who en- 
lists. It is evident enough from these prices that patri- 
otism was no more fervent and self-sacrificing in those 
days than it is in ours. More beef is demanded, and 



126 

£480 "new Corency " is voted '-'to procure 15,957 cwt 
of beef." The difficulty of obtaining silver with which 
to pay the State tax had so increased that the wisest 
could not tell how to procure the money, and the bold- 
est were ready to repudiate the tax. A committee was 
chosen, February 26, 1782, to petition the General 
Court about the " Silver rate and all other grievances." 
They presented their petition to an adjourned meeting 
ten days after. It was " Sagely Debated," but as the 
meeting was small, no vote was taken at that time, but 
at the next meeting it was voted to send the petition ; 
then the vote was reconsidered, and after debating the 
subject at five adjourned meetings, continued into 
April, the meeting was dissolved. These particulars 
indicate the strong feeling which was growing up in 
the town respecting the deranged condition of the 
State and national finances. • 

Soldiers could not be raised in the usual way, and 
the town was divided into classes, and a soldier assigned 
to each class. I understand by this, that fifteen dis- 
tricts were made of the town, according to population 
or wealth, and that each one of these districts must 
furnish a man, either of their own number or from 
some other place, or pa}^ the fine imposed for non- 
compliance, which at this time was about £45. As the 
town could not pay the money in hand which they had 
agreed to give the soldiers on entering the service, 
they gave a note for the principal, and paid the in- 
terest. The town is also required to furnish 6,585 cwt. 



127 

more beef, and £132 are granted, July 25, to purchase 
it. A new requisition of men is made, and it is voted 
to give the soldiers v^^ho were to serve for three months 
" 50s. per month and they draAV their own wages [i.e. of 
the State or nation] or £4 per month and the town 
draw their wages," and also voted to pay " each soldier 
40s. before he march." The men could not be obtained; 
and a week after, the town granted 20s. in addition to 
the £4 per month, and voted that " each soldier be paid 
£3 before he marches," and to pay the whole £180. In 
November, £60 more are granted to purchase the bal- 
ance of the beef of the old requisition, and £140 to 
purchase what a new requisition required ; and in pay- 
ing rates it is voted that "one Silver Dollar Should 
answer 75 Dollars " [in paper money.] 

It becomes more and more difficult to raise money ; 
and the town in their perplexity and distress went so 
far, May 12, 1783, after the treaty of peace had been 
signed, as to vote to " Instruct their Representative not 
to grant Congress the impost Requested by them for the 
express purpose of raising a revenue Independent of 
the States nor to mpplij Congress any imy iintlll the half 
pay to the officers of the army in the Communication 
thereof be settled and entirely given up." The war 
closed, but not the financial difficulties. Paper money 
sank in value rapidly, — sank to worthlessness very 
soon. It would not pay debts, nor buy bread ! ^ 

Creditors began to press their helpless debtors. Sil- 

1 Appendix V. 



128 

ver, the only legal tender, could not be had. The un- 
principled took advantage of the times and forced the 
payment of debts, securing liens on real estate worth im- 
mensely more than the amount of the real indebted- 
ness. The courts were thronged. It is said that twelve 
hundred suits were presented at one term of the court 
at Northampton. There was no peace, though peace 
was proclaimed. Men who had poured out their blood, 
either from their own veins or from those of their 
sons, were now to be deprived of the farms they had 
cleared, the houses they had built. The blessings of 
liberty and prosperity, for w^hich they had fought, 
seemed to be escaping their grasp. Their own friends 
seemed to have become foes. The people were en- 
raged, and their rage was fanned into a consuming 
flame by deluded and designing demagogues, and es- 
pecially by one Samuel Ely, a discarded minister, who 
had preached for a time in Somers. As early as 1781, 
there was an article inserted in the warrant for April 
meeting to see if the town "would send a member or 
members to the County Convention to be held at Hat- 
field as Requested " [It will be remembered that the 
three counties on Connecticut River made but one 
county at this time] ; but no action was taken. Feb- 
ruary 22, 1782, " Deacon John Hitchcock, Dr. John 
Sterns, and Abner Chapin were chosen Delicates to 
set in a county convention, to be holden in Hatfield 
on the first Tuesday in April next." The same month, 
a mob led by Ely disturbed the holding of the court at 



129 

Northampton. He was arrested and imprisoned at 
Springfield, but was released by a mob. Suits became 
more and more vexatious, and money more and more 
worthless. In October, ITS-S, another delegate was 
chosen — Dr. John Stearns — " to set in a County Con- 
vention to be holden in Hatfield at the Dwelling house 
of Colonel Seth Murry." The tumult increased in dif- 
ferent parts of the State, and arms were not seldom 
resorted to by the mob. In April 25, 1786, Capt. 
Phineas Stebbins and Mr. David Burt were chosen dele- 
gates to sit in a county convention at Hatfield ; and in 
August of the same year, " Lt. Noah Stebbins is chosen 
to Eepresent the town " in another convention to be 
held at the same place ; and in the ensuing November, 
Elijah Parsons is chosen to represent the town in a con- 
vention to be held in Hadley the next day. So the 
flames raged. Soon after this time, Luke Day, of West 
Springfield, had organized his forces, on the west of the 
river, and Daniel Shays was coming on, with what 
forces he could muster, from the east. It was the pur- 
pose of these men to take the arsenal, on the hill at 
Springfield, and seize the arms. Gen. Shepard had as- 
sembled about 1,000 loyal men at Springfield to defend 
the arsenal, and Gen. Lincoln was pressing on with his 
army from Worcester. It was important that Shays, 
and Day, who had 1,900 men, should attack Gen. Shep- 
ard before Gen. Lincoln cotdd reinforce him. On the 
24th of January, Shays reached Wilbraham and spent 
the night, with his soldiers quartered on the inhabit- 

17 



130 

ants. That day he had sent a messenger with a letter 
to Day to be ready for the fight the next day ; but the 
messenger, on his way back, pinched with the cold, went 
into a tavern in Springfield to warm himself, and some 
yomig men present, suspecting all was not right, so 
plied him with friendly draughts that they soon put him 
into a drunken sleep and got from his pocket Day's 
letter to Shays, saying that he could not fight till the 
26th. Of this. Shays knew nothing. But worse was to 
befall him. The men of Wilbraham were not idle. 
"Asaph King, at that time deputy sheriff. Col. Abel 
King, Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, and Dea. Noah Warriner 
met to devise a way of conveying to Gen. Shepard in- 
telligence of the proximity of the force. It was at last 
decided that the job belonged to the sheriff! On the 
morning of the 25th, Shays moved toward Springfield, 
"on the Bay Road;" when King mounted a splendid 
young horse, that stood saddled in his barn, and started 
him across the fields to the " stony bill road." The 
snow, knee-deep to his horse, was covered with a crust, 
and he was obliged, in some ins-tances, not only to make 
a path for his horse, but to pull down or leap fences. 
When he came out upon the road, the legs of his horse 
were streaming with blood. He was far ahead of 
Shays, and, spurring on, reached the arsenal in forty-five 
minutes from the time he left Wilbraham." Shepard 
now learned all the particulars of the number and 
proximity of the force of Shays, which were important 
to him, and prepared to meet him. The marching was 



131 

bad, and Shays did not make his appearance on the 
road till about four o'clock in the afternoon. After 
some parleying, and some boasting on the part of 
Shays, his column moved on toward the loaded cannon 
of Shepard, who had threatened to fire if he did not 
halt. The insurgents passed on, not believing that 
Shepard would dare to fire. It was no time for dally- 
ing ; yet Shepard, to show all possible forbearance, fired 
first to the right, then to the left, then over the heads 
of the column. Buf still they came on, the harmless 
roar of the cannon friorhtening the village more than 
the insurgents. They are within fifty rods of the bat- 
tery, and pressing on. It was now time to fire in 
earnest. The cannon are trained on the centre of 
the column ; the match is whisked in the air ; the 
column comes on ; the priming is touched ; the smoke 
belches forth, and the shot fly. Soon the smoke lifts. 
The column is broken and flying, crying, "Murder!" 
Three men lie dead, and four are mortally wounded. 
Shays could not rally his men, and they fled with 
the utmost precipitation till the scattered column, the 
disorganized mob, reached Ludlow, where they spent 
the night. I am not aware that any Wilbraham men 
joined Shays; but John Langdon, the hero of two wars, 
then over sixty years of age, who was in Shepard's 
army, used to take keen delight in narrating how, with 
his old "Queen's Arm" at his eye, he frightened a whole 
squad of Shays-men to throw down their arms and 
surrender. 



132 

The insurrection was soon after this wholly put 
down. The insurgents dispersed to their homes, and 
an amnesty almost general was declared. By special 
legislation the pecuniary affairs of the State were ad- 
justed so as to relieve to a great extent the sufferings 
of the people, and soon prosperity filled the purses and 
garners of the town. The popularity of Shays was 
very great, however, among some people, and, as late 
■as forty years after the rebellion, " Hurrah for Shays ! " 
was as common an exclamation, in the mouths of many 
persons, as " Hurrah for Jackson ! " was, twenty ^^ears 
later. 

The great struggle for independence is over ; the 
rebellion, consequent on a state of universal bank- 
ruptcy, is put down ; the constitution of the State is 
adopted; the ordinary channels of business are opening 
to the enterprising ; prosperity, peace, and happiness 
succeed the poverty, tumult, and anxiety of war.^ 

IV. The Fourth Period of our History now opens. 
I have run a little over the time of the Third Period 
that 1 might connect the rebellion of Shays with its 
causes. 

Though the constitution of the State was adopted 
1780, no representative to the General Court was chosen 
by the town till 1786, when Capt. Phineas Stebbins was 
elected for that and for three successive years. This 
neglect was, undoubtedly, owing to the fact that the 
towns were required to pay the expenses of their own 

1 Appendix W. 



133 

representatives. If the town sent no representative, 
the}'- had none to pay ; and the town was so poor, at the 
close of the war of independence, that it was no small 
object to save the pay of a representative. It is doubt- 
fid whether they would have sent when they did, had 
they not been fined £47. 18s. 4d. for not sending in 1781, 
'82, wdiich fine they petitioned, most humbly, in 1783, 
to have abated. Very stringent instructions were given 
Capt. Stebbins when first chosen, relating to the appro- i 
priation of money. In 1787, the newly formed consti- 
tution of the United States was offered to the several 
States for their acceptance or rejection, and Capt- 
Phineas Stebbins was chosen a delegate to sit in the 
convention to be holden in Boston for the i:)urpose of 
examining, and adopting or rejecting, this constitution. 
The people of this town were always jealous of bestow- 
ing power upon their rulers ; and it was thought that 
the constitution took too much power from the State 
and gave it to the nation. This fear controlled Capt, 
Stebbins's vote, wdiich he cast in the negative. The 
constitution was, however, accepted by the State, but 
not without prolonged debate and proposed amend- 
ments. 

The political history of the town from this time has 
been marked by no extraordinary action. None was 
demanded. The war of 1812-15 called forth no mu- 
nicipal measures worthy of mention. Governor Strong 
called for seven men, who were furnished, went to 



134 

Dorchester and staid seven months, and then were 
discharo;ed.^ 

In 1820, Abel Bhss Esq. and Luther Stebbins were 
chosen delegates to a convention called to amend the 
constitution of the State. Wlien the town were called 
upon, the next year, to vote upon the acceptance or re- 
jection of the amended articles, only two out of the four- 
teen were accepted. The same jealousy of conferring 
power upon government prevailed then as thirty years 
before. 

In 1824, an attempt was made by the town to obtain 
possession of the "Minister Money," especially that 
portion of it realized by the sale of the " Ministry Lot." 
It was unsuccessful, as it should have been, and the 
fund remains in the possession of the two jDarishes to 
this day. 

There was some little friction between the north and 
south parts of the town, and January 19, 1824, there 
was a vote upon an article " to see if the town will 
petition the General Court, at their next session, to 
divide the town of Wilbraham into two towns." The 
proposition was rejected by 114 nays to 67 yeas. But 
the subject would not rest, and was again agitated with 
no little interest and some asperity but a few years 
ago, and brought before the Legislature. Calvin Steb- 
bins gave much time and labor in opposition to the 
measure and, I suppose, it was owing in no small 
degree to his influence that it was not carried. 

1 Appendix X. 



135 

When the call was made upon the town for troops 
to put down the present infamous rebellion, the re- 
sponse was prompt and patriotic as when James War- 
riner's men started for Lexhigton almost one hun- 
dred years before. One hundred and forty-two of the 
sons of the town rushed to the rescue. At Fair Oaks, 
at Malvern Hill, at Newbern, they have been in the 
thickest storm and thunder of battle, and have shown 
that the noble blood of the flithers is not thin. Wound- 
ed on the fields, pining in Richmond prison, dying in the 
hospitals, they have honored their ancestors, the town, 
and humanity, and they will do so till this rebellion is 
crushed and peace is triumphant. 

The ecclesiastical afiiiirs of the town opened not very 
favorably, at the commencement of this period. The 
South Parish was no longer tempted, by their distance 
and individual interests, to interfere with the society in 
the north part of the town, but the disastrous condi- 
tion of the finances of the country affected every parish 
and home. It was very difficult to agree upon salaries 
for a minister, even when an agreement upon a minister 
had been obtained. The freedom of thought on all 
subjects, religious as well as political, which had been 
introduced by the Revolutionary War, now drawing to 
a close, had caused divisions of opinion which were pro- 
motive of strife. Denominational strife succeeded the 
clangor of arms. The Baptists, as I have said, came 
into the northeast part of the town, on the Bay Road, 
in what is now called the North Village, as early as 



136 

1765; organized a churcli in 1768; ordained the Rev. 
Setii Clark, 1770, and built a meeting-house, 1779, in 
the pine grove, near the house of Mr. John Powell. For 
a time, the society prospered, but was the occasion of 
much difficulty in the collection of taxes assessed by 
the parish. From 228 members, reported in 1802, the 
church diminished so that in 1807 it is reported to have 
" lost its visibility," The meeting-house remained, how- 
ever, and occasional preaching was had till about 1830. 
The house was destroyed by fire in 1833. As the tide 
of this society ebbed, the waters broke out in another 
quarter. A society was organized in the borders of 
Monson and Wilbraham in 1794, and was in a pros- 
perous condition for many years, especially under the 
pastorate, — from 1810 to 1836, — for twenty-six years, 
of the Rev. Alvin Bennett, whose genial nature, earnest 
devotion, and apostolic thrift, won him many friends out 
of his communion. Elder Bennett preached, during 
these twenty-six years, 4505 sermons, and attended 504 
funerals. In 1817, a meeting-house was erected for the 
society at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The 
society declined after his ministry closed, and, nine 
years ago, 1854, the Wilbraham members erected a 
meeting-house in the South Parish village, where they 
now worship. 

The Methodists also came into the town as a flame 
of fire at the commencement of this period. Lemuel 
Smith and Jason Lee kindled the flame in Abner 
Chapin's kitchen, then in the school-house. Menzies 



137 

Kayner opened the campaign against sin and Satan in 
the North Parish, in Charles Brewer's house. The 
fervor, the boldness, the burning enthusiasm of their ser- 
mons, prayers, and exhortations, set the whole town in 
a blaze. Those who turned the world upside down had 
indeed come hither. Those who came to scoff went 
away to pray. Many of the most bitterly prejudiced 
were carried away by the hearty zeal of these cavalry 
scouts of the Lord's hosts. For some cause imknown 
to me, a society did not at once take root in the South 
Parish, where the trumpet which startled the town was 
first blown ; but in the North Parish, where the opposi- 
tion was fiercest, and violence was threatened to the 
preachers, a church was organized, in 1791, which has 
grown, in spite of all opposition, and a refusal to grant 
an act of incorporation, till, outgrowing one meeting- 
house, it has built another, commanded some of the best 
talent in the denomination for its preachers, and if you 
would know the fruit of Menzies Rayner's labors, which 
he commenced in peril of bodily safety, look around 
you, — these commodious edifices, these rich cabinets 
and thronged lecture-rooms, that spacious boarding- 
house, without a rival in the State for convenience, 
finish, and safety, — the rich result of the wise thought 
and indomitable perseverance of my most respected 
friend, Rev. Doctor Raymond, the principal of the insti- 
tution, who, from the very ashes of his hopes, caused 
superior beauty to rise upon our eyes, — I say in all 
these you see the ripe fruits of those early toils, priva- 

18 



138 



tions, perils, sufferings. It is always so. Persecution is 
the best culture of truth. 

As the tide rose in the North, it began to flow back 
to the South, Parish, and after the school-houses on the 
west and east sides of the mountain had been used for 
preaching several years, a meeting-house was built on 
the hill north of the common, which was finally out- 
grown, and a new edifice was erected a few years since, 
on the main street, with which a very pleasant parson- 
age is connected. The entrance of the Methodists into 
the South Parish was not in perils, and their growth has 
been quiet. No serious difficulties ever arose between 
them and the " Standing order." ^ 

The more men think, the more they are likely to dis- 
agree on the doctrines, the philosophy, of religion, how- 
ever fully they may agree upon its princii^les and pre- 
cepts. Wilbraham was full of thinkers. If there was 
what men call heresy anywhere in the region round 
about, it would be sure to find a believer and an advo- 
cate here. Hence the Universalists also came into the 
South Parish, and organized a society in 1826, but never 
built a meeting-house, using instead the different school- 
houses for their religious services. After a few years, 
however, the society became extinct. Then came the 
Millerites, or " Adventists " as they are now called, and 
awakened great interest and not a little terror in some 
minds, by their " demonstrations " from the horns of 
Daniel's beasts, and the " time and times and half a 

1 Appendix Y. 



139 

time " of his prophecies, that the world would be burned 
up in April, 1843. Fortunately or unfortunately, the 
consuming fire did not descend nor the watching saints 
ascend, and the " demonstrations " failing, a large por- 
tion of the interest failed with it, and some of those 
who were most earnest in their advocacy, and most 
mathematical in proof of their doctrine, have left the 
care of the flock of the Great Shepherd for the raising 
of bullocks and the tilling of fields. 

Having thus glanced at the origin and progress of 
other societies, whose existence, in some instances, seri- 
ously affected the peace and prosperity of the Parishes, 
I return to the history of these both North and South. 

When the town was divided into two parishes, 1782, 
June 11, the Rev. Noah Merrick had been dead six 
years. The people in the south part of the town had 
become so numerous, and they were so poorly accom- 
modated on " Wigwam Hill," that they opposed all effi- 
cient action ; and the engrossing demands of the war 
still increased the difficulty of the settlement of a min- 
ister. The North Parish, however, at once set about the 
double labor of removing their meeting-house to a more 
central and accessible spot, and of settling a minister. 
After a struggle of five years, and hearing and calling, 
or attempting to call, five candidates, four of whom de- 
clined to accept, on grounds of sahuy or of doctrine, — 
for the society still held fast to their liberty, — Mr. Joshua 
Willard was "effectually called," March 29, 1787, and 
ordained the fourth Wednesday of May following. 



140 

The struo;o>le about the removal and location of the 
meeting-house was not so brief. Meetings were held, 
more or less frequently, for tivelve years, in which it was 
voted to move and not to move ; to repair ; to build ; 
to locate on " David Warriner's land east side of the 
road ; " "to move the meeting-house on Charles Brewer's 
lot ; " " to set it on the south side of Joseph Saxton's lot 
in the centre of the street ; " and finally " to purchase of 
Jonathan Merrick a piece of land on the north side of 
his lot, to place a meeting-house on, for £33." The 
house was to stand in the middle of the land purchased, 
side to the street, with porches at each end ; and who- 
ever would, might at their own expense put a "steeple 
on the north porch." The tabernacle of the Lord is 
moved down from " Wigwam Hill " into the street with 
as much joy to all beholders as David moved the ark of 
the Lord from the house of Obed Edom into Jerusalem. 

Mr. Willard did not remain to see this glory ; for the 
parish voted, 1793, one year previously, " that solely 
considering the state of the parish and Mr. Joseph 
Willard's health," a dismission of the Rev. Joseph Wil- 
lard from the relation of pastor to this parish take place, 
" on condition that he relinquish his salary for half a 
year." Mr. Willard did so and left. For three years the 
parish was without a pastor, experimenting with candi- 
dates, which resulted in the call and ordination of Mr. 
Ezra Witter, August 16, 1797. He was a man of learn- 
ing, had a large library for those days, and received 
many scholars from neighboring towns, some of whom 



141 

he fitted for college. He was a farmer, also ; and his 
farming did not aid him as a pastor among his peo- 
ple, as they thought, and he was dismissed, April 11, 
1814, after a ministry of seventeen years. The society 
prospered, however, under his ministrations. The meet- 
ing-house was repaired, a bell purchased, hung, and rung 
in 1802, the first Sabbath bell of the '^ Mountains." 

There was, however, during this and the previous 
pastorate, and the years intervening, much "trouble" 
with the Baptists and Methodists. Sometimes, the taxes 
of the members of these societies are abated; some- 
times not. Sometimes, it is voted " to exempt Metho- 
dists and Babtes and all other denominations, who have 
obtained certificates, from taxation." Then taxation of 
all without respect of persons is resorted to. These 
heretics would conscientiously or obstinately come into 
parish-meeting and vote, and disturb, thereby, the peace 
of Zion ; so it is voted that the Methodists and Baptists 
shall not vote. Bat they did woi' obey. The "moderate 
Calvinist," and peacemaker generally, Rev. Joseph 
Lathrop, D. D., of West Springfield, preached a most ac- 
ceptable sermon to them, it would seem, in the winter 
,of 1794, for the parish raise a committee to present him 
thanks " for his Ingenius and pertinent Sermon," and 
" to request a copy for the Press," and that " they de- 
liver one Book to Each Family in the Parish." 

In spite of the good doctor's ointment, the sores 
multiplied and grew more inflamed. Suits were com- 
menced for taxes. Piety was evidently giving place to 



142 

pluck on all sides. Even the jail-doors were opened 
long enough to aid and gratify the spirit of martyrdom. 
Goods were seized ; sometimes worthless articles were 
placed in the way of officers to ensnare and mortify 
them. Sometimes, the heretics would come into parish 
meeting in such a body as to outvote the orthodox, as 
in 1819, when Augustus Sisson was chosen moderator, 
and Abel Bliss, Jr., clerk. Compromises were attempt- 
ed ; but like all compromises, they had in them the ele- 
ments of their own destruction. The controversy wore 
itself out and expired by a change in the fundamental 
law of the land.^ 

Attempts were made during the four years subsequent 
to Mr. Witter's dismissal, to settle another minister. 
But it is evident that the liberal and exclusive elements 
in the parish itself were working more actively and 
rendering any agreement upon a pastor more and more 
difficult. Two ministers were called, Mr. Joel Fairchild 
and Mr. Calvin Colton, but neither accepted. A special 
effort was made to secure Mr. Colton ; and the church 
caused a paper to be drawn up in which the evils of 
controversial, sectarian preaching are deprecated, and a 
desire expressed that their pastor should confine his- 
teaching on controverted points to the language of in- 
spiration, or not to speak upon them at all. They re- 
quested a committee to present the paper to Mr. Colton 
expressing their confidence that, as he had " in a good 
measure conformed himself to that rule " thus far, " he 
would increase more and more in that and all other 

1 Appendix Z. 



143 

divine graces which tend directly to the harmony of 
the church and the prosperity of Zion." Mr. Colton 
dechned, however. Wliether the graces expected were 
not attractive to him, or their acquisition impossible, 
does not appear, and Mr. Ebenezer Brown was called, 
Dec. 16, 1818, by the parish, 47 for, 17 against; by the 
church, 21 for, 4 against. The parish were evidently 
not satisfied, and 28 voted against paying the council. 
Mr. Brown's pastorate was a turbulent one, for the 
man's foes were they of his own household. The 
Methodists and Baptists had rest. It is hoped they en- 
joyed their repose more than they did the old society's 
quarrels. Society and church were both tossed and 
rent. Mr. Brown ruled so firmly that his throne crum- 
bled under him, and the society well-nigh was lost by 
his attempt to save it. In 1821, three years after his 
settlement, the parish lost twenty tax payers, and 
granted their rates amounting to $139.84. The church 
is constantly harassed with cases of discipline and coun- 
cils, nearly twenty pages of the record being occupied 
with such painful troubles. It became evident that the 
method adopted with refractory members would neither 
convert nor restore them, and, July 5, 1827, Mr. Brown 
was dismissed. A greater part of those who had 
left the parish and the chiirch returned, and apparent 
peace again visited Zion. From this time to the close 
of the century, 1863, or thirty-six years, there have 
been four pastors, one of whom was connected with 



144 

the church nineteen years. The Parish Ministry Fund 
is now eight hundred and fifty dollars. 

The old meeting-house was first repaired, and then 
after its third period of service, it was removed again, 
not to shelter worshippers, but beasts, and a new church 
was erected on the spot where it stood. The old par- 
sonage house of the " worthy Mr. Mirick," and the old 
meeting-house, which stood by it for almost half a cen- 
tury, both served the hospitable purpose of housing and 
sheltering beasts after they had rendered good service 
to man. The parsonage, some years since, by its own 
decrepitude, and the assistance of a storm, escaped viler 
uses which it foresaw near at hand. The old meeting- 
liou e, now a livery stable, still stands near the new one, 
the " ranging timber " of Hitchcock, Brewer, and Steb- 
bins as sound as when they dragged it up " Wigwam 
Hill." 

It is time that I tarn to the South Parish. My story 
will be short ] for the records of the first nine years are 
lost, and there were few wars and rumors of wars of 
which history is made. 

The parish was incorporated, June 11, 1782. Previ- 
ous to this, however, there had been preaching in the 
place. In the summer season, the services were held 
under the oak-trees, which some of us remember as 
standing behind the church half a century afterwards. 
In the winter, they were held in private houses. Capt. 
Paul Langdon had the meeting-house ready to raise in 
June, 1783. I suppose I am safe in saying that there 



145 

is no person present in this crowded audience who was 
present at the raising, except our respected President, 
whose mother carried him in her arms to the spot wlien 
he was nine months old ; and a noble boy he was. The 
house was placed in the street, nearly opposite the pres- 
ent residence of Mrs. Aaron Warren, much to the an- 
noyance of the town and the comeliness of the village ; 
and several attempts were made to remove it before 
the present generation purchased the site where it now 
stands, remodelled and convenient, and pleasant to look 
upon. 

For ten years, it was a mere shell, rough-boarded on 
the outside, with board windows, with no seats but 
rough slabs and boards, and a box of the same rude 
material for a pulpit ; the timbers of the walls and 
roof were all exposed, and the swallows built their 
nests and raised their young on the beams and rafters, 
over the heads of the congregation. In 1703, £246, 
15s. were appropriated to finish the house and "see it 
glassed." A church was organized in 1785, and Rev. 
Moses Warren was ordained pastor September 3, 1788, 
when the church contained sixty-five members. His 
settlement was £150, and his salary was £58, 14s. 
($188.33), one-half to be paid in commodities, and 
twenty-four cords of wood yearly. The wood was 
usually taken by the lowest bidder per cord, in lots of 
from four to six cords. It is not to be supposed for a 
moment that his parishioners would bring to their 
pastor either short measure or poor wood, yet it was 

19 



146 

found convenient in 1816 to commute the wood for 
money, and about thirty dollars seem to have been 
thought a just equivalent. 

Seating the meeting-house was a cause of offence io 
many persons, and caused so much dissatisfaction, as 
also the raising of Mr. Warren's salary by taxing the 
polls and estates of the members of the parish, that an 
attempt w^as made, 1796, to raise money and remove 
rivalry and jealousy, by selling the pews to the highest 
bidder for choice for one year, provided the sum realized 
by the sale should be sufficient to cover parish expen- 
ses. At the first sale a sufficient sum was not realized^ 
and it was declared void. At the second sale several 
persons who bid at the first sale were outbidden, or 
did not bid at all, and for some reason took no pew. 
This method was accordingly laid aside, and not re- 
vived till within a few years. The old method of seat- 
ing, with all its irritations, was again resorted to and 
continued till 1829. Attempts were made to remove 
the meeting-house out of the road, in 1817, 1822, 1824, 
but in vain ; the parish refusing to do it at their ex- 
pense, and individuals not succeeding in raising money 
to do it at theirs. They did, however, in the last year, 
succeed in raising money by subscription to paint and 
shingle it; and in 1838, the parish voted that, if no ex- 
pense to the parish, individuals might remove the meet- 
ing-house to where it now stands, and it was done. By 
a subscription among all the inhabitants of the parish, 
a bell was put into the tower, and for the first time the 



147 

mountains around that beautiful valley echoed to the 
tones of the church-firoin": bell, in the sacred stillness of 
Sunday morning. 

Some cases of discipline arose in the church, some 
foolish, some painful ; yet compared with churches gen- 
erally, it may be said that the brethren lived in peace. 
The inroads of other denominations caused some diffi- 
culty in levying taxes ; and as members left to join 
other societies, the pressure of parish expenses made 
the members feel restive. But generally it may be 
said that a commendable degree of good-will prevailed, 
and the wounds w^ere soon healed which offences had 
made. It was w^ise not to open the meeting-house to 
everybody, on their asking for the key, and it was not 
often refused, if ever, when application was made in a 
suitable manner to the proper authorities. No marked 
seasons of religious interest occurred during Mr. War- 
ren's ministry till 1822, In the summer of that year, 
Rev. Asahel Nettleton, a famous revivalist, who was 
preaching as an evangelist in Somers, where there was 
a great awakening, came into the place, and by his in- 
strumentality, sixty-two persons united with the church 
in October; and in November, thirty-one more; in all, 
ninety-three additions. Other subjects of the revival 
joined other churches, so that the whole number of con- 
versions was over one hundred. Mr. Warren continued 
his ministry till his death, February 19, 1829, in the 
seventy-second year of his age, and the forty-first of 
his ministry. He had baptized four hundred and sev- 



148 

enty-eight adults and children. He was the only man 
the parish knew as a minister. He was identified with 
all the interests of religion and education ; and by his 
encouragement and instruction, no less than fourteen 
young men of his parish were fitted for college. He 
published but one sermon, that on the death of Mr. 
Abdiel Loomis, about 1800. He was a good man, meek, 
modest, scholarly, devout, — not a popular preacher. 
His style of writing was free from boldness and imagi- 
nation, and his manner of delivery was quiet almost 
to tameness ; yet not seldom the good man's lips 
trembled and his tongue faltered when he spake of 
" righteousnesss, temperance, and judgment." Of un- 
sullied integrity, of unchallenged piety, of sincere and 
unquestioned humility, he 

"Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 

The Rev. William L. Strong, of Somers, preached his 
funeral sermon, February 23d. He says of Mr. War- 
ren, " He was peculiarly a man of prayer. His breth- 
ren in the ministry will long remember with w^hat 
eagerness he entered upon ' those seasons of prayer, 
and other devotional exercises, which were sometimes 
observed in their meetings for mutual improvement. 
:i: * * ^g r^ minister of Christ, Mr. Warren discharged 
his duty with fidelity. '''■ '''• '^' In his intercourse with his 
people, they will bear me out when 1 say that he was 
most kind and affectionate. In his pastoral \dsits, and 
his visits to the sick and dying, he co-mmended himself 



149 

to the conscience. '■'' * * In respect to his qualifications 
for the ministry, he always spoke with diffidence. So 
impressed was he with the greatness of the work, and 
with the high qualifications requisite to discharge suc- 
cessfully the duties of the sacred office, that he was 
often heard to say, that if he could have anticipated 
the labors and trials and difficulties he was to realize, 
he should scarcely have dared to be a minister. But 
it pleased God to employ him in his churcli, and we 
believe he has been enabled so to demean himself 
as to magnify his office. Nor has he been left with- 
out a witness that his labors were approved of God. 
"^ =!= =;= The approach of death did not fill him with 
alarm. When nature was nearly exhausted, he bade 
f^irewell to his family and friends, and fell asleep, and 
we doubt not became an inhabitant of that world which 
the Saviour has gone to prepare for all his people." ^ 

From the death of " The Good Man," Rev. Mr. War- 
ren, 1829, till the present time, 1863, thirty-four years, 
there have been six pastors over the society. The 
longest pastorate was eight years and six months, 
and the shortest eighteen months. For two years 
a stated supply was employed. Of these pastors, 
it would not be w^ise to make any special remarks, as 
their service is of too recent date to admit of the calm 
judgment of history. It may be said, however, tliat 
the inuncdiate successor of Mr. Warren, Rev. Mr. Clarke, 
who ten years since went to his reward, little under- 

1 Appendix AA. 



150 

stood the temper of the parish, and the gentle spirit of 
his predecessor. The consequence was, as in the case 
of the Rev. Mr. Brown of the North Parish, contention 
and division, which culminated in the unharmonious 
dismission of Mr. Clarke in three years. The wounds 
were seven years in healing, even under the ministra- 
tions, a portion of the time, of that saintly man. Rev. 
Ebenezer R. Wrioht. 

The parish is as prosperous as can be reasonabl}^ ex- 
pected, where, with so small a population, there are two 
other prosperous societies also. The whole number of 
persons admitted to the church from its commence- 
ment, down to February 2, '1862, is 488; of these, 
forty-eight were admitted in the spring of 1861, when 
there was no settled pastor, by Rev. Messrs. Doe, 
Almon, and Underwood. The Ministry Fund is now 
nine hundred and fifty dollars. 

To a thoughtful friend of Zion it seems a calamity 
that evangelical Christians, so called, who admit the 
Christian character of the members of their different 
churches, cannot agree to unite their means in the sup- 
port of one society, and thus economize means, and 
strengthen both the brotherhood and religion. They 
could thus afford to sustain a pastor, without disagreea- 
ble selfsacrifice, who would command by his talents the 
respect, and enlighten by his scholarship the minds, of 
the community. No people can be lifted from the 
murkiness of superstition, and the narrowness of sect. 



151 

but by one who stands high above them in generous 
manhood and large culture, as well as fervent piety. 

Sunday schools were opened in town about forty 
years ago. The scholars mostly committed hymns and 
verses from the Bible, which were recited to their teach- 
ers, or rather hearers, for very little instruction was 
given. At a later period, question-books were intro- 
duced, and information was given by the teachers. Pre- 
miums were offered at first to those scholars who com- 
mitted the greatest number of verses, thus by inflaming 
the worst passions, — jealousy, rivalry, envy, — vio- 
lating the spirit, to obtain the letter, of Scripture. At 
an earlier period, the "Assembly's Catechism" was 
learned in the public schools, and the minister was 
accustomed to go in once a month, on Saturdays, and 
hear the children recite it. Sometimes, the children 
went to the meeting-house or to the minister's house, 
on Saturday afternoon, and recited it there to him. 
These were great occasions to the little folks. It is not 
to be supposed that they understood the awful mys- 
teries unfolded in the words which they repeated. They 
did understand, however, that they were, in this exer- 
cise, reciting what was sacred, and reverent feelings 
arose under the influence of unmeaning sounds. 

The public schools in town were not forgotten in the 
contentions and anxieties which followed the Revolu- 
tion. Though embarrassed with debt, and burdened 
with taxes, our fathers understood that knowledge was 
one of the corner-stones of the republic. There were 



152 

but two school-houses in town at the close of the Revo- 
lution, — one on the street near the present Congrega- 
tional meeting-house ; the other east, on the middle 
road, on the mountain ; both in the North Parish. The 
school-districts had done what they could, probably, to 
erect school-houses, but they were too poor to do much, 
or to undertake much, and the town came to their aid 
in 1791, and appropriated .£100, to be divided among 
the districts in proportion to the money they paid into 
the treasury, and this was to be assessed in a tax by it- 
self. This appropriation was continued for three years. 
To elevate the tone of education, and give better op- 
portunities to those who were aspiring for more instruc- 
tion, the town appropriated, in 1792-3, £12 each year, 
" to the School District in which lives Samuel F. Mer- 
rick, Provided they keep a Grammar School six months 
from the present time and the Inhabitants of the whole 
town have Liberty to send scholars to said School, said 
School to be under the direction of the selectmen." 
The town furthermore voted " that the scholars of such 
parents as did not furnish one quarter of a cord of wood 
cut fit for the fire before the first of January, should 
not be taught at school, and if any teacher violated the 
rule no order should be given for wages." A vote was 
also passed about this time that there should be no 
" work " done in the schools. The teachers " boarded 
round," remaining at each house where there were 
scholars, from three to twelve days. This system was 
continued down to a recent period, — into my own days 



153 

of school-teaching, and perhaps since. It was a great 
occasion, for the children especially, to have the school- 
master come to their house to board. The i>:oodies 
were to be arranged in tempting richness and abundance 
upon the table. If not the ftitted calf, the fatted pig 
was killed, and the last trembling chicken was sacrificed 
to honor the guest. With what bewitching grace of 
mingled fear and delight W'Ould the little girl, her face 
all rosy with modesty, her eye sparkling with expecta- 
tion, stammeringly, half-curteseying, half-hesitating, an- 
nounce to you the thrilling news that all things were 
now ready, and that " mother wants you to come and 
board to our house next week." And when you gave 
the welcome repl}^, " I shall be happy to go," how 
lightly and jocundly she bounded away to announce 
the news to the envious group of her companions ! 
From that night on, what a stir was under that roof! 
The candlesticks are scoured, the andirons put in order ; 
the best bed, which had not been occupied for half a 
year, perchance, overhauled ; the best knives and forks 
taken out of their quiet resting-place and polished; the 
baby's dresses looked after and ironed out ; in short, 
there was a universal brushing up and smoothing down 
of the w^hole premises. Especially did Jemima experi- 
ment on the possibility of an unaccustomed curl or 
crimp in her auburn hair. And wdien tlie time came 
for the master to make one of the household, how 
many benedictions did he pronounce on the extra rye- 
and-indian bread ; the luscious sparerib ; the smoking 

20 



154 

cakes ; and above all on the sweet, darling baby ! And 
with wdiat earnest importunity did the proud mother 
insist upon his taking one more piece of the cake 
redolent of the molasses coating, and making refusal 
impossible by insinuatingly announcing that Jemima 
made it ! Ah, these were halcyon days, — the elysium 
of schoohiaasters ! 

Books were less abundant than food, and in spite of 
the town vote, days would sometimes pass without 
wood; or the wood -would defy the power of fire. 
Green pine did not make good kindling ; white birch 
did, but went out when your expectations were highest. 
The school-houses were poor, cold, inconvenient. Yet 
I cannot agree with some of the opinions uttered re- 
specting the generosit}' of our fathers to the schools. 
They gave more of their poverty than we give to-day 
of our abundance for the same object. Money was 
hard to get, but labor they could furnish. They could 
work on the roads, but not in the school-room. They 
will appear generous to the schools w^hen we consider 
their condition. From 1790 to 1799 inclusive, the 
town appropriated $3496.96, for educational purposes. 
From 1831 to 1840 inclusive, the town appropriated, 
for the same purposes, $7,200, only about twice as 
much, after a period of forty years of thrift, and reck- 
oning the income of the surplus revenue, amounting to 
$82 annually. Our ancestors have no reason to be 
ashamed of their appropriations for schools. Poor as 
their schools and their school-houses were, they denied 



155 

themselves as many comforts as we do to keep the 
torch of knowledge burning. 

Our schools have been constantly improvmg. A 
geography wdth an atlas was introduced as early as 
1820. Dabol superseded Pike ; and Smith, Dabol. It is 
only in very recent times that boys generally have 
been rash enough or bold enough to study grammar 
and geography, or girls hardy and courageous enough 
to study arithmetic. I remember the first boy who 
was presumptuous enough to venture on fractions ; and 
I remember the one Avho did all his sums by proxy, 
compensating for the work by drawing ships, at which 
he was an adept, on his substitute's slate. I believe I 
was myself the first person who taught Colburn's Intel- 
lectual Arithmetic in town ; it was in 1828. Never, 
probably, were the public schools in better condition 
than to-day. Gradual improvement has marked them 
from the beginning. There is yet, however, abundant 
room for improvement, and you will make it. This 
year you pay seventeen hundred and forty-two dollars 
for the support of your schools, in the midst of a terri- 
ble civil war, while only twenty years ago, in 1840, in 
a time of profound peace you paid not half as much, — 
only eight hundred dollars. Onward ! the path grows 
brighter and brighter. Posterity will be more grateful 
for nothing you leave them than for good public 
schools. Without Intelligence, piety degenerates into 
superstition, and power becomes satanic. 

Besides the public schools, there have always been 



156 

men in town who have taught private schools, where 
better instruction was given. They Avere the worthy 
ministers, who knew that piety without knowledge is 
superstition. Mr. Witter, of the North Parish, was a 
scholar. Mr. Brown had a grammar school. Mr. War- 
ren, of the South Parish, had scholars till his death ; 
and Elder Bennett not only had private scholars, but 
sometimes taught a public school. By these means, the 
children of the town were enabled to obtain a very re- 
spectable education without leaving its limits. Acad- 
emies were opened in Springfield and Monson, and some 
of the most thrifty and earnest sent their children 
abroad. In 1826, however, the necessity and desire 
ceased, for this academy was founded, by the self-sacri- 
fice and persistent labors of Calvin Brewer, Abel Bliss, 
Abraham Avery, and others. They were not ashamed 
to accept the day of small things. A regenerated 
tavern was made a boarding-house, and that building,^ 
only half-finished, for want of funds, was dedicated as 
a school-house by Wilbur Fiske, the principal. Would 
you know the result ? Look around you. How has the 
little one become a thousand ! Twice burned to ashes, 
the boarding-house has risen like the fabled Phoenix in 
renewed strength and greatness, till she now invites her 
children, from ocean to ocean, to walk around her and 
number her towers; and princely merchants from Boston 
to the Golden Gate lavish on her their treasures. Bish- 
ops, Presidents and Professors of Colleges and Theological 

1 The speaker pointed to the old academy building. 






fe 
Lm 



65 



e^ 




157 

Schools, Teachers in Seminaries, Lawyers, Physicians, 
Mechanics, Farmers, through the land, rise up and call 
her blessed. May her glory be still further spread! 
May her children be still further multiplied ! 

For many years after the settlement of the town, it 
was necessary to draw all lumber from the saw-mill at 
Sixteen Acres. Lewis Langdon erected the first saw- 
mill, as I have said, about eighty rods below the Ravine 
Factory on the Scantic in 1750 ; Abner Badger's saw-mill, 
on Third Brook, where the old mill now stands, near the 
late Capt. Chaffee's, was in operation before 1772. In 
1762 the town ojave Caleb Stebbins of Wilbraham and 
Joseph Miller of Ludlow a deed of four acres of the 
Ministry lot on Twelve Mile Brook, as a site for a grist- 
mill. Some years intervened before there was a grist- 
mill in the south part of the town ; but before the close 
of the Revolutionary War, and most probably some time 
previously, Langdon erected a grist-mill, afterwards 
owned b}' Bcnanuel Leach, about a hundred rods below 
his saw-mill. David Burt erected one shortly after on 
or near the site of the present mill in the southeast 
part of the town. One was also erected about the same 
time by Mr. Wright not far from the residence of the late 
Benjamin H. Russell, on Middle or Second Brook. In 
the early part of this century, Mr. Bacon of Brimfield 
built a crrist-mill where the " Ravine Factorv " no\v stands, 
but sold soon after to Christopher Langdon, grandson of 
Lewis. It passed through the hands of Jacob W^ood and 
Hubbard Arnold into those of William Moseley, who 



158 

thoroughly remodelled the mill, rebuilt the dam, erected 
a saw-mill and added a shingle-mill. It was burnt down 
a few years since, and a wrapping-paper manufactory 
built on its ashes, which has in turn given place to 
the present factory. At the "turn of the river," so 
called, was the saw-mill of Capt. Charles Sessions, and 
after it fell to pieces, another was erected the north side 
of the river, near the road, on the spot where the " South 
Wilbraham Manufacturing Co." has its mill, to make 
place for which, the saw-mill again crossed the stream to 
the south side. Before the close of the last century, an 
attempt was made by Capt. Joel Pease to erect a mill 
near Mr. Roswell Phelps's on the plains, and a dam was 
erected ; but the country was so flat that the overflow 
of the pond was seriously objectionable and the project 
was given up. Meantime a saw-mill had been erected 
by Caleb Stebbins at his grist-mill, and Burt also erected 
one on his dam. At last, as if the waters of the Scantic 
and its tributaries had not been worked sufficiently hard, 
Milton Stebbins erected a grist and saw mill just south 
of the bridge on the west side of the mountain, about 
thirteen years ago, making from first to last seven saw- 
mills, five grist-mills, and one shingle-mill. 

Nor was this all. Clothing was needed as well as 
food and shelter. Mr. A. Worthen brought into town 
from Mendon, in 1803, August 10, the first carding ma- 
chine and placed it in a building erected by Jonathan 
Kilborn on the site of the present Satinet Factory on 
Twelve Mile Brook, by the side of Stebbins's Mill. 



159 



Fulling mills and carding machines were soon erected 
by Walter Burt near Burt's Mill, by Jonathan Flint just 
below the village bridge ; and Laban Button, near Burt's 
had a fulling mill. Beriah Smith and Brothers, who 
bought out Flint, did a large business in dyeing and 
dressing cloth. Just below Smith's was Roper's Clover 
Mill which was famous in its day. He added the man- 
ufacture of chairs to the cleansing of clover-seed. 
Walter Burt invented a pair of shears for cutting the 
nap of cloth, but they worked imperfectly and were 
superseded by other and better machines. 

The amount of wood consumed by the early inhabi- 
tants gave an overplus of ashes for home consumption, 
and William King manufactured potashes in the south 
village near the old meeting-house, and Paul Langdon 
by the Potash Hill. 

Thomas and Hervey Howard erected a tannery at an 
early day on the road from the street to Stony Hill, and 
Abraham Avery had one near his late residence. Mr. 
West followed the business in the South Parish at the 
foot of the hill by the brook over the bridge, and then 
on the spot which his descendants now occupy. The 
Chaffee Brothers, Daniel and Jonathan, had a tannery 
near the site of the present one. 

The time would fail me to name the cider-mills or 
even the cider-distilleries. Stewart Beebe's was much 
the largest of the latter. Orchards were very numerous 
and large on the mountains, and a farmer often made 
three hundred barrels of cider — and sometimes, with 



160 

sorrow be it spoken, drank thirtj^ and a barrel of brandy 
to give it tone. The temperance reform, thirty years 
ago, swept them all away, and we glory in our sobriety 
and clear cool springs and deep refreshing wells instead 
of rows of cider barrels and kegs of proof brandy. 

To Deacon Sumner Sessions belongs the faith and 
foresight and energy of erecting the first woollen mill 
in Wilbraham, which now turns off eve'ry day one 
thousand yards of three-fourth satinet. Below the 
"South Wilbraham Co.," is the "Ravine Manufacturing 
Co.," started 1856, w4iose mill manufactures two thou- 
sand yards of doeskins a week. The factory of Gates 
and Nelson on Twelve Mile Brook is in full operation, 
turning off one thousand yards a week of low grade 
satinet, and near by it is the mill of Messrs. Ellis and 
Houghton which makes about two thousand yards a 
week of the same style of goods. The capacity of all 
these mills is about eleven thousand yards a week, or 
six hundred thousand yards annually. Near our. bor- 
ders, at Jenksville, there have been for many years large 
mills, whose operatives have furnished a good market 
for the productions of our soil. 

There was no post-office in the town till 1821 ; all 
our letters came to Springfield. I have been there for 
letters in my boyhood. Matthew Gardner brought the 
first mail to the town in a one-horse wagon, — a poor 
wagon and- a poorer horse ; and Coombs, once a week, 
came riding through the streets, blowing his horn, with 
the papers. I remember how we children would stare 
at Mr. Gardner, the wonderful mail-man, as he passed. 



IGl 

The first regular mail and stage line in New England, 
if an open wagon can be called a stage, was started by 
the enterprise of Reuben Sikes of this town and Levi 
Pease of Somers, 1772. It left the Lamb Tavern in Bos- 
ton every Monday at 6 A, M., and reached Hartford on 
Wednesday; another stage or. wagon left Hartford at 
the same time and reached Boston Wednesday night. 
The same team was driven all the way, stopping nights. 
The old Sikes' tavern was standing many years ago on 
the " Great Road " not far from Mr. Baldwin's.^ 

Many years after, about 1823, a mail and stage line 
was started from Springfield to Providence ; this was 
the first stage which passed through the South Parish. 
In 1828, a company was formed to run a line of stages 
from Hartford to Ware, which went through the town 
on the main road. Both these lines were suspended 
after a few years. 

Though the line of the telegraph has gone out 
through all the earth and thus passed through both 
parts of the town, still its voice is not heard in our bor- 
ders ; its significant click makes no heart tremble with 
fear of loss or hope of gain. The message from Boston 
to San Francisco passes you unheeded as you work in 
your fields. 

Our habitations and domestic habits and comforts have 
changed not less than our fields and mills. The gar- 
ments of our fathers changed from skins and breeches 
to cloth and trousers. Yet the coarse cloth and plain 

* Appendix BB. 
21 



162 

colors were of domestic manufacture and dyeing. Wool 
was spun and woven at home and prepared for garments 
at the clothier's. The " tailoring" was done at home by 
women who went from house to house fitting garments. 
The old horse was roused at an unaccustomed hour of a 
cold morning, and while the stars were yet bright was 
started off after the " tailors " ; who were in turn hur- 
ried back that they might do a good day's work and 
earn their money. We children got down the old but- 
ton-bag, and with an eye to the attractive in other, 
gentler eyes selected the buttons, and then with vigor- 
ous application to the soles of our shoes, made the dull 
metal glow and sparkle with becoming brightness for 
its new office. Flax was raised, broken, and swingled by 
the men ; and all through the winter day and long win- 
ter evenings the whole house was made musical by the 
hum of the "foot" and " great" wheel as the mothers spun 
the flax and the girls spun the tow. The girls were 
ambitious to have the largest bunches of yarn hung 
upon the wall and to be reputed the best spinners in 
the neighborhood. And when the spring came, and the 
sounding loom and flying shuttle had done their work, 
there might be seen long pieces of cloth on the clean 
grass bleaching to snowy whiteness for the tidy house- 
wife's use, or, what was better, for the garnishing of the 
womanly daughter's new home ; for when, in spring-time, 
it was observed that a larger piece of ground than usual 
was sown to flax, the prophecy was read of all that Hannah 
was, the next season, to bless John with a happy home 



168 

and lovino; heart. Cotton cloth is a modern notion, and 
has driven the prophetic tiax and busy wheels and 
sounding looms from our homes, almost from our mem- 
ories. The braiding of straw and palm-leaf succeeded 
spinning and weaving, and often the whole family, boys 
as well as girls, spent the long evenings manufacturhig 
straw hats and bonnets, and palm-leaf hats. The income 
from this occupation purchased the cloth which had be- 
fore been manufactured at home. Hundreds of thou- 
sands of yards of straw braid were sold from the town. 
This also is past now. The hands of the young are 
turned to other employments. The " nicely sanded 
floor " gave place, about fifty years ago, to the first car- 
pet; and I doubt if there were a dozen in town in 1810. 
As late as 1800 there were log-houses here, and some 
who hear me were born in them. Capt. Paul Langdon 
had the only clock in the Scantic district for many years, 
and at nine o'clock in the evening he was accustomed 
to blow a horn to signify the time to the neighborhood. 
The first cooking stove was brought into town by Cal- 
vin Stebbins in 1814 ; now they are as numerous as the 
houses. Crockery was rare ; wooden plates, called 
trenchers, and wooden or pewter spoons were used by 
adults as well as by children sixty or eighty years 
ago. Very few men or women and no children wore 
shoes in summer, and some would have been thankful 
for them in the winter. A pair of boots was a wonder. 
Woollen mittens served for kids. Who had a watch in 
1800 ? Who hasn't one in 1863 ? Our ancestors of the 



164 

last century and the old people of my boyhood said, 
"coold" (could), woold (would), shoold (should). They 
pronounced daughter, '• dafter" ; nation, na-ti-on ; motion, 
mo-ti-on. Educational prejudices were as much shocked 
when Webster directed these words to be pronounced, 
" nashun," " moshun," as religious prejudices were when 
Master Morgan ventured to beat time with his hand 
while singing in church, and when Watts' Psalms and 
Hymns were substituted for Tate and Brady. But edu- 
cation spread in spite of the one as religion did in spite 
of the other. The use of the iron plough did not de- 
stroy the fertility of the soil, nor did plaster of paris 
turn the garden into a desert. 

In the latter part of the last century and the first 
quarter of this, there was no market for the farmer 
which would quicken his enterprise and prompt to thrift, 
by a demand for the surplus products of his farm- 
Springfield was but a village, and a poor one, in 1780, 
numbering but a few inhabitants more than this town. 
Indeed, this town, before the commencement of the Rev- 
olution, had nearly as many inhabitants as Springfield. 
The land, at the foot of the mountains and in the val- 
leys between them, was more productive than that of the 
mother town. The surplus rye and corn, therefore, 
which the farmer raised, was of little value, till distiller- 
ies were erected at Sixteen Acres, Springfield, Still 
Water, and AVarehouse Point. At these, rye and corn 
were sold and cash paid in return ; not seldom, a barrel 
of gin being taken in part payment. After the tempest 



165 

of the temperance reformation swept over the country, 
the gin distilleries went down with the cider distilleries. 
The market was closed. But at about the same time 
the Western Railroad was opened. Springfield immedi- 
ately grew from a sparse village to a crowded, enterpris. 
ing cit}^ ; and a new and ready market was opened at 
greatly enhanced prices for all that the farmer could raise. 
I remember how the farmers predicted that opening that 
road, by which the productions of the endless, inex- 
haustible gardens of the west could be brought to our 
market, w^ould ruin them and render their farms worth- 
less. Behold the change ! These farms are within less 
than two hours' drive of one of the best markets in the 
State, and all the products of the firm now command 
much more remunerating prices. Thrift has conse- 
quently taken the place of indifference, and within 
thirty years the farms of the town have been improved 
vastly. The desert has become a garden. The moun- 
tains and the hills, with their wood and stone ; the fields 
and meadows, with their harvests of grain and burdens 
of grass, have enriched the population. 

Such, fellow-citizens, is the history of our town. No 
harmful rivalry has seriously disturbed the harmony of 
the separate parishes, though town-meetings have some- 
times witnessed a friendly struggle for the honors of 
office or the championship in wrestling. The winding 
bridle-paths of the olden time have been straightened, 
without regard to the symmetry or sacredness of fields, 
meadows, or gardens. The furor for straightness has 



166 

succeeded the policy of crookedness, and at last the 
locomotive came roaring, screaming, tearing through the 
mountain, where the old "Bay Path" once hardly fur- 
nished footing for Thomas Glover's horse, lifting its col- 
umn of smoke above the rocks, flashing its cyclopean 
eye of fire through the darkness, making all the moun- 
tains rock and reverberate from the Chicopee to the 
Scantic. From blazed bridle-path to iron railway ; from 
plodding steed to thundering locomotive ; from the old 
wooden plough, by whose use it would be hard to tell 
which was the more tormented, the holder or the soil, 
to the cast-iron beaut}^ ; from the narrow corn-patch and 
consumptive rye-field to rich meadows and broad and 
fertile acres ; from cattle which rivalled Pharaoh's " lean 
kine " in greediness and leanness to fat and sleek oxen 
and generous milkers ; from swine too lank even for the 
spirits of Gadara to find a home in, and swift of foot as 
greyhounds, to porkers whose eyes are closed with fat- 
ness and which sit dignifiedly to eat ; from sheep whose 
hairy wool was to be gathered from the bushes of the • 
pastures through which they searched for food to the 
beautiful merino whose fleece is silk ; from unfurnished 
houses and log-cabins to tasteful homes and rich furni- 
ture ; from frowsy garments to attractive apparel ; from 
poor school-books and lean instruction to constantly in- 
creasing means of good culture, the town has risen 
during these one hundred and thirty years, and most of 
this progress has been made within the last quarter of 
this period. 



167 

Through all its history the town has been signalized 
by the equal distribution of its property. It has had few 
men above competency, few below it. None rich ; very 
few poor. The prayer of Agur has been fulfilled here. 
Healthful competency ; neither poverty nor riches, has 
been the portion of the town ; and she has looked with 
pride not with envy, Mr. President, upon the splendor 
of her mother's achievements and renown. Virtue, the 
usual attendant upon industry and competency, has 
been the crowning glory of our town. Of crime it has 
hardly known anything. The murder which startled the 
whole country, committed on the " Great Road " at the 
commencement of the century, 1802, was the act of for- 
eigners. Of calamity we have known also but little. 
Besides the accident in the last year of the last century? 
by which five young persons were drowned in Nine- 
mile Pond, very few casualties have befallen our citizens. 
We have been preserved from fiood and fire. Of vice 
there has been but little and that little has been grow- 
ing less, for it is not true that the sons have dishonored 
the fathers, that vice has taken the place of virtue, irre- 
ligion that of piety. These fields have not improved 
more in fruitfulness, these dwellings have not improved 
more in commodiousness, nor our garments more in at- 
tractiveness than the population have improved in all 
true, manly. Christian nobleness. The millennium is 
before, not behind. 

These ancestors of ours were sturdy men. They 
were hardy, tough, iron-fibred. Their muscles were 



168 

knitted and firm and large. They were strong and 
vigorous and compact. Tliey were of the Egyptian not 
of the Corinthian order of architecture ; massive more 
than graceful. Their minds were less cultivated than 
their bodies. They were of strong appetencies; im- 
pelled by animal passions more than guided by refined 
tastes. The refined, the beautiful, the graceful attracted 
them but little, living as they did among the bears and 
stumps. Animal desires were most clamorous and first 
gratified. Their propensities were necessarily of the 
earth, earthy. They had to contend with poverty and 
storm and beasts. The strong, the bold, the grotesque 
were, therefore, attractive to them. What they could 
wear and eat and drink was most valuable to them. 
We must be just to these tough pioneers. We must 
not expect from them what we, with all our superior ad- 
vantages, have not attained. Their age was not one of 
poetic ease, but of stern and tough reality, — of hard 
work and coarse fare, of small means and rigid econo- 
my, of desperate shifts to escape sufferingj and patient 
endurance of destitution. Under such circumstances, 
what can a reasonable mind expect but the sterner vir- 
tues and the coarser vices ?^ 

In reading the records and studying the history of 
the town I have found no reason to decry the lapse of 
the sons nor to apologize for the sins of the fathers. 
They had their errors ; we have ours. We are here to- 
day to vindicate our own claim to improvement by ren- 

' Appendix CC. 



1(39 

deriiig a tribute of honor and gratitude to them for the 
richness of our heritage. By a just appreciation of 
their industry, economj^, patriotism, heroism, do we show 
ourselves worthy to be their sons. 

Honor, then, all honor, as we stand upon the height 
of the century, to the early settlers of the town, the 
founders of its institutions, and the fathers of its thrift. 
Their names shall be household words. They live in 
their sons and their son's sons even to this day. Indus- 
try, economy, piety, — these were the crowning virtues 
of our fathers ; they are those of their descendants, im- 
proved by better culture, enlightened by a purer faith. 
Many of their sons have graduated from college and 
entered upon the various professions, to which they have 
done honor, — some have risen to high and responsible 
stations. And we reckon many more who, without the 
aids of college culture, have made themselves useful or 
eminent in professional life.^ 

The town has produced no one great man who has 
eclipsed the glory of all others, or who gathered to him- 
self all the honors of the town. Her sons have shared 
the talents as they did the wealth of the town, in very 
equal proportion. 

As they nobly bore their share in the burdens and 
perils of the war of invasion, of independence, so now 
you rise in the glory of your strength to crush rebel- 
lion and vindicate freedom. If Warriner, and Warner, 
and Merrick, and Bliss, and Brewer, and Chapin, and 

' Ai)pcii(Iix 1)1). 



170 

Langclon, and Stebbins, and Morris, rushed to the field 
to throw off the yoke of British oppression, and wring 
from royal lips the confession of our indejDendence and 
nationality, their sons, not less patriotic, not less heroic, 
have left home and wife and child, to wrench from the 
clutch of traitors the sacred ark of liberty and the holy 
standard of freedom. The blood of the loved and the 
brave has been poured out like water that the sin of 
oppression may be atoned for; and the cry for help 
from the struggling country, writhing in the scaly folds 
of the rebellion, will not be disregarded 

While Wilbra'am has a man to die, 
A woman left to close his eye, 
To eat a single crust. 

But the hour has come for the feast and the games. 
The herald gives the signal. My voice must hush. 
Sons and daughters of Wilbraham, w^e stand upon the 
threshold of a new century. None of us will behold 
its close. Let us pass on gratefully, trustfidly, giving 
room to the coming generations. Let us so live that 
those who come after us will honor our memory for our 
thrift and virtue as we honor that of our fathers. 

Pass on, venerable representatives of the past gener- 
ation. We, in the strength and vigor of mature man- 
hood, take the torch of civilization from your hands, and 
the words of exhortation from your lips, with honor and 
gratitude. Arouse, ye in life's meridian glory ; worthily 
pass on the flaming brand, loudly pronounce the golden 
words. Hail, ye youthftd company, fresh with the dews 



171 

of the morning, receive the ancestral fire rom onr 
hands, the ancestral wisdom from our lips. Advance, ye 
future generations. Take the heritage we bequeath to 
you, and not only preserve but improve it. Announce, 
as you gather in nineteen hundred and sixty-three to 
do honor to your ancestors, that the message of this first 
centennial assemblage to you is, that Eternal Vigilance 
is the price of liberty, immaculate justice the foundation 
of national perpetuity ; that neither liberty nor perpe- 
tuity has any firm basis but in personal virtue, virtue 
none but in knowledge ; and " that neither freedom nor 
virtue nor knowledge has any vigor or immortal hope 
except in the principles of the Christian faith and the 
sanctions of the Christian Religion." 



Appendix 



APPENDIX. 



AN ACCOUNT OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE INCOR- 
PORATION OF THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM, AN,D THE SPEECHES AT 
THE DINNER. 

THE town clerk of Wilbraham, Mr. H. Bridgman Brewer, while ex- 
amining the records with Charles Stearns, Esq., of Springfield, dis- 
covered that it was nearly a century since the town was incorporated. He 
thought that some public notice should be taken of the day ; and after con- 
sulting with some of the citizens, he laid the subject before the selectmen, 
who inserted an article in the warrant for the annual April meeting, 1862, 
" to see what the town would do in relation " thereto. It was " voted to 
raise a committee of nine to take the matter into consideration," and 
" John B. Morris, John W. Langdon, Samuel Beebe, Pliny Merrick, Cal- 
vin Brewer, William V. Sessions, John Wesley Bliss, Samuel L. Bliss, 
and John M. Merrick were chosen that committee. 

This committee met November 4th, and instructed John B. Morris 
to correspond with some person to prepare an address to be delivered 
before the inhabitants of the town on the approaching anniversary, June 
15, 1863. 

At a meeting held April 6, 1863, the committee organized by choosing 
John B. Morris, chairman, and John M. Merrick, secretary. 

Mr. Morris reported that he had corresponded with Hon 0. B. Moms, 
Bcv. Dr. Russell, and Rev. Dr. Stcbbins, and that Rev. Dr. Stebbins 
had accepted the invitation and would deliver the address, and presented 
the following letters : — 

LETTER OF INVITATION. 

South Wilbrahaji, Jan. 30, 1803. 
Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D. D. 

My Dkar Sir: The town of "Wilbraham was incorporated on the 14th of June, 
1763, in the third year of the reign of King George the Third. The inhabitants, 
being desirous of eelebrating that occasion, chose a committee to carry the same 



176 



into efFect, and have selrc-tcd you to adilivss thcni on that occasion ; and I do now, 
on behalf of said committee, invite you to perform that service, and sincerely hope 
you -will not decline. 

Be pleased to give as early an answer as you can conveniently. 
Yours, very respectfully, 

JOHN B. MORRIS, for the Committee. 
Rev. K. V. isTEBBiNS, D.D.,Woburu, Mass. 

Ji E P L Y. 

WoBUUN, Feb. 4, 18(5:3. 
John B. Mokris, Esq. 

My Dear Sir : Accept my thanks for the honor your committee have done 
me by their invitation to deliver the address at the Centennial Celebration of the 
incorporation of the town of AVilbraham. 

I was born thare, and there rest the ashes of my ancestors, near and remote. 1 
should feel as if I lacked gratitude if I permited other, even pressing, duties to 
hinder my saying what history will justify in honor of the place of my nativity. 

I therefore accept your invitation, in the hope that the memories of the day 
may make the place of our birth dearer to those of us who have strayed from it, 
as well as to those who still cleave to it. 

Yours, most trulv, 

rufus p. stebbins. 

John B. Morris, Esq., and others, 

Committee of Arrangements. 

Immediately invitations were prepared and sent abroad to the scattered 
children of the town, and officers appointed to make special arrangements 
for the celebration. The address was to be delivered in Fiske Hall, and 
the dinner to be taken in the dining-hall of the Academy boai-ding-honse, 
by the kind permission of Dr. Raymond, Principal of the Institution. 

By a mistake in the printed act of incorporation, the supposed day of 
the anniversary, the 14th of June, would fall on Sunday, and the com- 
mittee had determined to have the celebration on the 17th. Several invita- 
tions had been sent out before the misprint was discovered. It was dis- 
covered that the parchment copy of the act in the State archives gives the 
15th as the day the act was signed by the governor. The time for the 
services was therefore changed to the real day, Monday, 15th. 

The day came, and was all that could be desired for clearness, though 
warm. The citizens began to gather at an early hour, and long before 
the procession was to start from the Congregational church for the Hall, 
the main street was filled with people exchanging most hearty congratula- 
tions. Flags were flying, and a band of music was playing. At 1 1 
o'clock the line was formed, and the procession moved for the Hall. 
When it reached Rev. Dr. Raymond's house. Dr. Stebbins and a few per- 
sonal friends joined it, and passed up the beautiful academy grounds to 
Fiske Hall. It was evident that but a small portion of even the proces- 



177 



sion, to say nothing of the multitude standing around, could enter the 
Hall. 

After the Hall, platform, and stairways had all been packed to suffoca- 
tion, and the band had played a patriotic air, the chief marshal of the 
day, Samuel L. Bliss, Esq., called the assembly to order, saying, "My 
services will be relieved for a time, and I take great pleasure in intro- 
ducing to the audience, as president of the day, the Honorable Oliver 
Bliss Morris, a native of this town, though now a resident of Springfield, 
but who has never forgotten the place of his birth, which he now honors 
by his presence, as he has always honored it by the integrity which has 
marked his services in so many stations of responsibility in the County 
and State." 

As Judge Morris rose, ruddy and vigorous, though over eighty years 
of age, a profound feeling was manifested throughout the hall. He said, 
" First of all it becomes us to address the throne of grace. I call upon 
the Rev. Mr. Skeele, of Wilbraham, to lead in prayer." After the 
prayer, the President said, " I thank you for this honorable position, 
citizens of Wilbraham. The occasion which has brought us together is 
one of deep and joyful interest. We have come to do homage to the 
memory of our fathers, to examine the record of their history, and to bow 
in humble gratitude to Heaven that we are descended from' a most worthy 
ancestry. I welcome you, therefore to this occasion, fraught with so much 
interest to all the inhabitants of the town. Especially do I welcome, 
as the organ of the town, those of her children who have come from 
abroad. Though civil strife fills the land, and the voice of war sounds 
through all our borders, we meet in these quiet scenes to forget, for the 
hour, the distress and tumult around us, and to exchange congratulations 
that we have so goodly a heritage. Much might be said, but the demands 
of the occasion will be better met if, instead of saying more, I introduce 
to you, as I now do, the Bev. Dr. Stebbins, of Woburn, born on the 
banks of the Scantic, on the very spot where his ancestor pitched his 
tent, more than a century ago, in the then unbroken wilderness." 

Dr. Stebbins then rose, and from a short brief, which he had made of his 
manuscript, delivered his address, which is printed in this volume. He 
held the attention of the crowded hall, and even of those in the ante- 
rooms, and on the stairways, for over two hours, though the heat was most 
oppressive. When the address was closed, the gentlemen on the platform, 
near the speaker, crowded around, uttering the most hearty commenda- 
tions, while the chief marshal gave notice that the procession would be 
formed at once, and proceed to the dining-hall of the boarding-house. 

23 



178 

The President addressed the audience, saying, " There can be but one 
opinion on the motion which I am requested by all those about me to put ; 
it is this : It is moved and seconded, by those near me, that a copy of the 
address, to which we have all listened with so much delight, be requested 
for the press. As many as are in favor of the printing, say, Aye." An 
unanimous "aye " rose from every part of the hall. 

The procession immediately proceeded to the dining-hall, where over 
three hundred sat down, at three long tables, to a sumptuous repast, pre- 
pared by the efficient steward, Horace Sessions. J^lessing was invoked 
by the Rev. Dr. Raymond, principal of the institution. 

After the physical man had been refreshed, and the Rev. Mr. Peabody, 
of East Longmeadow, had returned thanks, the President said, "There is- 
something still remaining of the rich feast which the people of Wilbraham 
have prejmred for themselves. Her sons have come from afar, and I know 
that their voices will be grateful to you. I am most happy to introduce 
to you Honorable Judge Merrick, of Boston, Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State, and grandson of the first minister of Wilbraham, the "worthy 
Rev. Noah Merrick." 

Judge Merrick rose and said, — 

I do not feel at liberty, Mr. Pi-esident, to forhear from responding, very briefly, 
to the call you make upon me. But I may be permitted to say here, the chief mo- 
tive which has induced me to come and participate with you in this Centennial 
Commemoration is my desire to revisit a place for which and the people toward 
whom I cherish, alike from my ancestral and personal relations, an attachment of 
no ordinary interest; and that it was, accordingly, my purpose to be only a silent 
observer of these scenes, and a gratified listener to whatever might be said by the 
resident or native inhabitants of the town. And although I now waive all ex- 
cuses, I am not insensible to the serious difficulty of exciting any interest, or of 
attracting any favorable attention, so immediately after the close of the excellent 
address to wliich we have all had the pleasure of listening this morning, and which 
is justly entitled to the great favor and the becoming applause with which it was 
received ; and he must be mucli bolder than I can pretend to be who would will- 
ingly venture to expose himself to the criticism which might easily be provoked 
by such juxtaposition. It has been my lot, from my way of life, to have heard 
not unfrequently some of the ablest scholars and orators of the country, and I 
think it no exaggeration to affirm that the address, in its exact appositcness to the 
occasion, in its complete and exhaustive use of all the befitting materials at com- 
mand, and in the simple, but significant and felicitous language in which it was 
closed, combined all that is really essential to eloquence, and may fairly challenge 
comparison with the best productions which occasions like this have anywhere 
elicited. 

My own interest iu this Commemoration arises, in no inconsiderable degree, as 
you will all feel it naturally must, from the relations which those from whom I am 
descended have, in times past, sustained to the town. Those relations go back to 



179 



a very early period in its history. Twenty-two years before the day of which this 
is the one hundredth anniversary, and when twenty-five or six families compre- 
hended the entire population then dwelling upon its territory, my grandfather 
became the ordained minister of the first religious society organized within its 
limits, and he continued to serve the people in that capacity during a period of 
thirty-six years, and to the close of his life. I was gratified to learn from the mu- 
nicipal record, of that early date, which was read in your presence this morning, 
that, when first called to that high service, he was described by those who extend- 
ed to him their invitation to it, as " the worthy," as well as " the reverend Mr. 
Merrick." I was touched by the reading of that word the more that I had very 
recently seen on the plain but enduring tablet, beneath which his remains repose in 
the neighboring cemetery, the same description of their departed minister and 
friend, — thus evincing that, to the close of life, he maintained the same good 
reputation with which he commenced his ministerial career, and left behind him 
an unblemished name, the best of all riches, as the inheritance of his children. 

My father, who was his youngest son, spent the early and a very happy portion 
of his life here ; and I know that he always regarded the place of his nativity with 
filial affection. It was in the indulgence, and in the nurture, of this sentiment that, 
in my early youth, he sent me here to commence the studies preparatory to my col- 
legiate education, and placed me under the instruction of the Kev. John Witter, 
then the pastor of the parish over which his father had so long held the ministerial 
charge. I remained here but a few months, less, I think in the whole, than a year ; 
but some portions of this period, and not a few of the persons whom I then knew, 
are still vivid to my recollection ; and it has been most agreeable to mc that I have 
met some of them to-day, who yet hold in rcmemljrance our early acfiuaintance. 
Grateful for the advantages I enjoyed, and for the kindness extended to me by all, 
and particularly b}' my respected instructor, I am happy to avail myself of this op- 
portunity to pay to his memory the humble ti'ibute of my lasting esteem. Mr. 
Witter was a wise, upright, and eminently gcx)d man, — conscientiously scrupulous 
in the performance of all his duties. He was a diligent, faithful, and able teacher, 
not only to the pupils under his immediate charge, but, in the wider sphere of his 
profession, to the people to whom he ministered at the altar. His attainments as 
a scholar were highly respectable, and his knowledge, as well as his collection of 
books, was wide and various. Assiduously devoted to his calling, he shrunk from 
no labor which seemed to him essential to its successful exercise. His public 
discourses were prepared with uncommon care, and were written in a style so clear 
and perspicuous tiiat tiiey were easily and readily understood and appreciated by 
his hearers. In the reading of his sermons he was extremely modest and unjjre- 
tending. Invariably calm and dispassionate in manner, he yet always made iiim- 
self felt as a devout and earnest preacher. While lie convinced the mind, he did not 
fail, also, to make effectual appeals to tlie iieart. His power in commanding the 
attention, and in controlling the emotions of his audience, was quite remarkable ; 
making upon all, even upon the youngest among them, a deep and abiding im- 
pression. Even now, after the many years that have since elapsed, and though I 
was then but in my early childhood, I remember one occasion when, availing him- 
self of a subject of local, but painful, interest, as the theme of his discourse, he so 
ilealt with it, — in showing how the ways of Providence, if dark in their present 
aspects, arc yet designed in mercy, and, if rightly improved, may lead to all the 



180 



best and liappiest issues, — that a tearless eye could scarcely be found in his con- 
gregation. Upon his public ministrations I believe I was a constant attendant, 
and, in a limited sphere, was in daily intercourse with him; but of his more imme- 
diate and personal intercourse with his parishioners, my age and opportunities did 
not permit me to be either an observer or a judge; but from what I knew of him 
in other respects, I feel sure that it must have been, as I have been told at a later 
period, by some of them, that it was, most agreeable, beneficent, and instructive. 
He became separated from his parish several years after I was one of his pupils, 
and from this period I ceased to have further knowledge of his pursuits or life. 

Since then many changes have necessarily occurred in the parish and in the 
town. The excellent educational institution, in whose halls we have assembled, 
and the beautiful portion of the village built up around it, had then no existence. 
The men of that generation have nearly all passed away ; but others have been 
supplied, worthy, I am most happy to believe, to take their places and caiTy on 
the good works which, more than a hundred years ago, were here begun. In one 
of the early I'ecords Avhich was read to us this morning, Ave find that the inhabitants 
of the town assembled in public meetings, adopted a resolution in which they 
warned and instructed their representatives to see to it that the rights, privileges, 
and liberties of the people should not be sacrificed or in any way invaded or in- 
fringed. That was a wise and good resolution, veiy fit, I dare say, then to be 
adopted, and certainly worthy to be upheld and acted upon at all times, and in all 
possible circumstances ; and more emphatically so whenever the practical value 
of the principle involved in it shall be endangered by the treacherous delusions of 
some pretended present majority, — the ever ready, but deceptive apology for every 
lawless assumption and encroachment. In the perpetual maintenance of that 
principle, in the enlargement of your population, and in the advancement of all 
your moral, educational, and religious institutions, which I believe have hitherto 
had a constant and regular, though gradual, growth from the first settlement of 
the town, it is my earnest hope that no impediment may hereafter intercept your 
still increasing prosperity', welfare, and hapijiness. 

The President : Tliere is a song, to which the speaker alluded in 
his address, which we now propose to sing in the old fashion of "lining 
ofF." 

Judge Henry Morris "did" the "lining," and the band, with a few 
select voices, led, while all who wished, sung or tried to sing. It was 
remarked that the " grave and reverend seniors " became very boys again 
during this exercise. 

"A little nonsense now and then, 
Is relished by the gravest men." 

The President : I see before me a worthy son of Wilbraham, whose 
ancestor was one of the earliest settlers in the south part of the town. I 
introduce to you the llev. Dr. Russell, of East Randolph, in this State. 



181 



MU. I'lJESIDENT, LADIKS AND GENTLEMKN, 

Fellow-Citizens oe the Town of Wilbuaham: 
None of us were born at Rome, and for our first views of nature, none of us looked 
out upon its eternal hills, and its classie but muddy stream. Such a cruel fate was 
spared us in the allotments of the Providence of God. This is our Mantua. Here 
we have driven the flocks and the herds afield, and when the " shadows fell east 
from the pile," and the darkness thickened along the woods and the feeding 
grounds, we have been filled with fearful imaginings at sights s^en and unseen, as 
we have been compelled to return them to their enclosures at night. It is true 
that there are here within the vision's range no Alps, no Po, and- perhaps no 
such beauty as is mingled in an Italian sky. But there are attractions here, and 
they are felt by you, Mr. President, and by this great assembly convened to-day. 

We can conceive, sir, of circumstances more favorable to mental cidture, and to 
some of the forms of intellectual development and taste, than those in which our 
existence begun. But wc have never regretted that we were born in Wilbraham. 
There are various methods in which mental powers are unfolded, directed, educated, 
and the man becomes fitted for a sphere of successful action in life. The work of 
education is not done exclusively in the school, the college, or the seminary of 
learning. There ...are other scenes and other influences that perform for us this 
work. The mountain-range, the peak, the crag, the valley, the stream, the spread- 
ing landscape and sky, the fireside, and the mother's smile do for us all this 
work of education. 

It is with unutterable emotions, therefore, that we return to this spot of earth on 
which our eyes were first opened, and look from the eminence where, eighty years 
since, last December, you, Mr. President, were first pressed to a mother's bosom, 
upon the beautiful panorama among the hills that is from that home of your child- 
hood spread before us. Those mountain-slopes, those valleys, those woodlands 
and streams, can never be separated either from the thoughts or the feelings of 
those whose cradles were rocked in that amphitheatre among the hills. Nay, those 
streams to-day, as they roll sparkling in the sunshine, the clouds themselves, as 
they hang over the landscape, are to us all voice, and they call up in our bosom 
memories that refuse to be uttered save in the quivering lip and the moistened eye. 
These scenes have done for us, Mr. President, a work that we would not undo if 
we could ; and 

" Time but the impression stronger makes. 
As streams their cliannels deeper wear." 

After the able and eloquent discourse to which wc have listened with so much 
pleasure from the orator of the day, and the just and effective tribute that has 
fallen from the lips of the distinguished gentleman that has just taken his seat, 
anything beyond a mere allusion to the past will of course not be expected from 
nie. Yet fidelity forbiils me to leave unnoticed the first pastor and religious teacher 
of the South Precinct in Wilbraham. 

The Rev. Moses Wan-en graduated at the University of Cambridge in 1784, was 
installed and ordained pastor of the Congregational church in South Wilbraham 
in 1788, where he continued the functions of his office till his death, in 1829. He 
was fond of the Greek and Latin classics, as are all the sons of Harvard, and did 
himself, during the first half of his forty years' ministry, conduct the preparations 



182 



of some eighteen or twenty young men for college, besides performing the work 
of a grammar-school instructor for the sons and daughters too of very many of 
his parishioners. For this noble work that good man should not be forgotten in 
the festivities of this passing hour. 

As a preacher, if not always analytic and profound, he was still earnest, truth- 
ful, sincere. If he did not always instruct and settle minds pei-plexed with the 
unsolved problems of religious tiiith, he did utter in his preaching the spirit of his 
Master and exemplify in his life the beauty of his character. His mental disci- 
pline, his acquisitions of learning, he consecrated on the altar of a confiding peo- 
ple. Youth's green spring he devoted to his charge, and the vigor and the strength 
of manhood's prime. The timid he encouraged, the desponding he cheered. He 
wept with his people in their sorrow and anguish, and rejoiced in their success 
and prosperity. The sick greeted his coming, and his presence lighted up a smile 
on the countenance that was becoming pale in death. He was 

" Simple, grave, sincere. 
Anxious that the flock lie fed should feel it too." 

" He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, 
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way." 

Such, briefly, was this good man, who, unnoticed by the world, fulfilled his course 
among these hills for forty years. There is, in most of our New England villages 
or communities that shrewd sense, that sound judgment, that unflinching integrity 
and moral principle and worth, that to every discerning eye constitute their great 
attraction. This character is a rampart of strength. It resists the encroachments 
of vice, becomes a lever that elevates the mass, and a power that softens and 
refines. It is not always deemed best adapted to the purposes of a celebration; it 
is not often the theme of newspaper commendation. When the subject of discus- 
sion, it is seldom that it creates any available sensation. But it is this daily life of 
truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, and strong religious affections, exemplified in the 
homes of our fathers and our mothers, that invests us, their sons and their daugh- 
ters, with whatever distinguishes us, — if distinguished we be. It has been to us, 
and is to-day in its influence upon us, like the dews and the showers that descend 
on these hill-sides and vales — quickening, refreshing. It has given life here its 
highest form, its meaning, and invested it with its most substantial attractions 
and charms. It has made our homes sweet, their memory precious. It will 
ever be, therefore, the language of each of our hearts, " Wilbraham ! with all 
thy faults, I love thee still !" The first pastor of the South Precinct in this town 
did not a little in shaping and moulding this character, to which we have referred, 
of our fathers and mothers, who have gone with him to their rest, and left it as a 
" heritage to their children's children." 

A century with all its cares, toils, hai'dshijis, hopes, fears, joys, which it brought 
to the bosoms of our fathers, has passed away. Like them, we are passing, too, 
our human duration ; and when , 

" That lingering star, with lessening ray. 
That lov'st to greet the early morn," 

shall usher in the 15th of June, 1963, you and I, Mr. President, and this great 



183 

assembly, will be elsewhere, amid other scenes, and forever engaged in other 
employments. 

Long have you, sir, already lingered here, and brightened the ]3athway that you 
have trod. In your responsible position, with the ])roj)erty of the whole county 
passing through your hands, as it must have done, the ermine of the judge has 
remained unstained, and the blessings of widows and of orphans have fallen thick 
on your head. You, doubtless, arc little aware of the influence of your own exam- 
ple in stimulating others of your native town to exertion in the career of an hon- 
orable ambition. The seventeen from the little parish of South Wilbraham, that 
have received a public education, could probably state things unknovra to yourself 
in this regard. If Cicero, as he assures us, was vehemently stin'cd to action as he 
looked on the marble statues of his distinguished countrymen, surely none of us 
can be excused for not being moved by the salutary examiDle of a fellow-townsman 
who lives not in the marble, but walks in his own person among us. Your years 
are not yet full, we devoutly trust. Long may the freshness and the vigor ex- 
hibited to-day linger here and bless our vision. 

Serua in Ccelum redeas ! 

Ladies, gentlemen, fellow-citizens of Wilbraham, I have detained you too long. 
For us all there yet remain duties, trials, conflicts. Our country is in a furnace of 
fiery flame. Its agony is intense. A parallel to it in the history of the world can 
nowhere be found. But if just, true, faithful, in all our relations, however dark 
and appalling the prospect in any of our circumstances, prosperity and joy will in 
the end spread their wings over every son and daughter that has waked to life on 
the slopes and plains and valleys of this our native town. 

The President : Wilbraham is ricli in her children, who do her honor 
wherever they go. I see down the table another of her sons, who has 
come from a remote State to enjoy and honor this day. I introduce to you 
the iiev. Horatio Stebbins, of Portland, Maine. 

Mil. PKKSinENT, Friends, Neighbors, Kindred, Natives of Wilbraham: 

Let not my unwillingness to take the place offered me upon the platform in 
the hall, neither my declining the uppei'inost seat at the festive board, nor yet my 
reluctance, which the President has hinted at, to speak on this occasion, be con- 
strued into any indifference or want of sympathy with the occasion itself. Indeed, 
the distance I have come to be here to-day would be a sufficient answer to all that; 
and if you needed anything more to persuade you, I might tell you how light and 
happy that journey has been, — my heart thro*l)bing with all boyhood sympathies, 
and gladness of homeward return. I have declined to sit near you, Mr. President, 
and your filial mind will not esteem it any disrepect, because this place in company 
with the remnant of my father's house litis a greater persuasion for me; and I have 
shown thus far a reluctance to open my mouth, because the occasion oppresses me 
and distracts my thoughts, 'twixt the memory of the past and the associations of 
the present. IMy kinsman, the orator of the day, who has rendered us such dis- 
tinguished service, and for which I desire to thank him, will pardon mc if I have 



184 

seemed to listen with half-intent and wandering mind, for I have been everywhere 
to-day, not by my own will or forethought, but drawn by magic powers of the air 
wliithersoever they would. I have lived my life over. I have been back to child- 
hood, laugh and rollic and morning sunshine of existence, and all the varying cloud 
and sky of human lot have passed over. All the hilltops have blazed in recollec- 
tion, and cast their light and shadow far down the slope, and across the level plain. 
How delightful and refreshing the sensation of boyhood and youth ! — like a 
gentle wind from the sweet southwest coming in upon noontide heat and dust ! 
How wonderful to be renewed in feeling, and to look upon this world afresh ! 
How sweet that youthful sensibility which exalted everything it looked upon, and 
nestled in the heart a source of beauty and wonder ! It comes back to me to-day, 
and I am a boy again ! My senses have been renewed, and I see the earth and sky 
again as they seemed spread above and around my father's house ! All things are 
enhanced and glorified ! 

The hills are mountains, and prop the heavens with everlasting support ; the 
"goat rocks," half way up the sloping hillside, rise grim and gray, and my voice 
echo^ in the cave beneath, peopled with shadows and half-terrors ; the Scantic 
River is a flood rolling in might and majesty toward the sea ; the old mill in the 
mountain-pass grinds away, and I grope carefully in its dusky light, with a childish 
curiosity and wonder; and no huntsman "in at the death" so thrills with tremu- 
lous delight, as I, when drawing the bleating flock closer and closer, they stand 
huddled beneath the great buttonwood, at the sheep-washing. Mr. President, you 
never saw such a tree as stood before my grandmother's door ; it was a mighty 
tree ! — the noon-tide glory rested upon its head, its branches reached from the east 
to the west, and touched the morning and the evening ; it was a wonderful tree, by 
mid-day or moonlight ; beauty, grandeur, and strength had their abiding-place in it ; 
in the winter, cold and bare, it stood shadowless, severe and unrelenting ; in sum- 
mer, it was benignant, kind, and merciful ; it always had the same aspect with the 
heavens, and, like the heavens, seemed to have stood forever ! 

But the prosaic suggestions of mature years hint that all this is a sort of child- 
ish wonder and exaggeration. As I was riding into town this morning, and came 
iipon the sandstone ridge which skhts our western borders, I quoted the words of 
the Preacher, " One generation goeth and another generation cometh, but the earth 
abideth forever." The mountains stood in front, familiar, unchanged. I re- 
marked to my brother their permanence and rest, their familiar look and aspect, 
to which he replied, " They are not as big as they were." " Not as big as they 
were ! " that tames me down to the fact that something is gone from all this out- 
ward world ; commonplaces and mediocrity have ustirped the place of wonder and 
beauty. A great religious poet has said it well : — 

" There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream, 
The earth, and every common sight, 

To me did seem 
Apparelled in celestial light, — 
Tlie glory and the freshness of a dream. 
It is not now as it hath been of yore; 
Turn wheresoe'er I may, 
Ky night or day, 
The things which I have seen I now can see no more. 



185 



" TIio rainbow conies and goes, 

And lovely is the rose; 

The Jloon doth witli delight 
Look roiin<l her when the heavens are bare; 

AVaters on a starry night 

Are beautiful and fair; 

The sunshine is a glorious birth, — 

But yet I know, where'er I go, 
That there hath itassed away a glory from the eartli." 

But not more vivid to-day arc the iiu])ressions of childhood senses, than tlie in- 
cidents of moral and intellectual life which cluster in the mild sunshine of recol- 
lection. I have been to school this morning in the old school-house, and relieved 
the weariness of those heavy, lagging hoixrs by enterprise of trade and barter, with 
s])clling, geographj' and arithmetic ; 'twixt gusts of pedagogic vigilance, I have 
mixed a little practice in values, and swapped jack-knives with Silas Chapin, and 
l)aid him difference of string and pewter plummet — Silas Chapin, the best judge 
of a jack-knife or steel-trap of all the boys in District Number Ten ! I have been 
to meeting, in the old meeting-house on the green, and waited patiently through 
hymn and prayer and sermon, only asking my fatlier, When will the minister be 
done ? And when that venerable man of God closed the Book, saying, " The 
remainder of this subject in the afternoon, and, in the mean time, may God bless 
his Word," I breathed a long breath ; yet wondered why the good man spoke so 
contemptuously of the holy interval in the services of the Lord's house. To me 
it was no mean time, but the best time of all the day. There are faces here, too, at 
this board, a single glance from Mhicli kindles all that religious past into vivid 
light. There, before me, sits Deacon Sumner Sessions, who looks no older to me 
now than when in the old meeting-house he exercised his office of tithingman, and 
divided with equanimity, which I always wondered at, his reverent mind 'twixt 
the humble worship of Almighty God, and a holy frown on the boys. There is 
Deacon John Morris ! Can I ever forget liis trembling tenor 1 It struggles in 
my breast even now, and wakes a thousand reverent associations, as some sweet 
wind from heaven, — whence it cometh or whither it goeth we know not, — awakes 
a half-forgotten prayer ; and there is John Newell, that god of song, whose right- 
hand, trembling in holy rhytlim, swayed, as with a magician's wand, the multitudin- 
ous voices of the village choir. 

Mr. President, my heart has lca])cd like a roe, this morning, at the promise of a 
visit to my grandmother's ; and I have been compelled to correct my imaginati(jn 
by my judgment, for I verily thought I heard the squalling of the geese, sure har- 
binger of my near approach to her door ! Yotx will all forgive me for saying, that 
the judgment of my manhood puts no correction, and charges no eiTor, to the 
reverent admiration with which my l)0yish mind looked on that A-enerable woman. 
How she loved me ! What persuasion in her voice, what satisfaction in her kiss ! 
O blessed ties of kindred blood ! O heavenly grace of womanhood ! What dig- 
Tiity ! What urbanity ! What discretion ! What tender piety ! If those mysteri- 
ous influences which mingle in the make of men, descending from generation to 
generation, giving tone and color to thought and feeling, may be matter of grati- 
tude to the Inspirer of our frame, I am grateful that the fountains of my life were 
set so near a heart in whicli guslied so gentle blood. 

It is impossible, and it is hardly grateful, on an occasion like thi.>, to tiirust asiile 
24 



186 



those sentiments of filial regard which recollection awakens, and which press upon 
the mind with something of the authority of claim. Our fathers take their seats 
by our side whether we will or no ; and that is indeed an unfilial heart that does 
not involuntarily give them room. I have counted one in my company that is not 
here. The century was a little too slow for him, and he could not wait. Mr. 
President, you knew my father. He was a man gifted in intellectual and moral 
powers above the ordinary measure of men ; of limited and provincial expe- 
rience, his mind showed rays of native light, such as enfolds the round sphere of 
truth. He was a century before his time, and he lacked the ingenuity to justify 
himself to the present. But he was never discouraged concerning God or man. 
He was one of the firmest believers, and one of the most ardent and invincible 
hopers I ever knew. He was almost a moral enthusiast, and in that fact is to be 
found the account of some of the most striking defects of his mind and character. 
He was a polemic in politics, morals, and religion. Never can I forget the sharp 
skiraiishes and word-battles with neighbors before the open evening fire. His 
house was a natural resort for ministers, but he agreed with none of them ; and 
his theological discussions were always a claim for a more wide-open and humane 
interpretation of the divine Goodness. Yet, notwithstanding all this difference 
and keen dissent, in a period less tolerant than the present, no man of God ever 
went out from beneath that roof without leaving his deep and heart-felt benedic- 
tion. I can never lose the impress of his religious influences, though he was 
called a doubter by almost everybody. It seems to me that he had the finest ap- 
preciation of childhood of any man I ever saw ; — his appreciation of young men 
was not so keen, through defect of education or limitation of experience. Can I 
ever forget the stories he told, the hymns he sung, with a voice like the month of 
June, and the lessons of love and good-will to all, which he enforced with such tender 
persuasion ? debt of filial love ! — sweet burden of gratitude, from which my 
heart would never go free ! My friends, I could not help this, and I know you will 
forgive me since there is nobody here but ourselves. 

Natives of Wilbraham : What instinct has brought us here to-day, from afar, to 
commemorate the establishment of human society on these hills ? It is the instinct 
most deeply rooted in man's nature, affirming that human society is the chief in- 
terest on earth ; that, wherever human souls are spoken into being and the solitary 
set in families, there a thousand ties of earth and heaven centre, drawing toward 
the one Almighty providential purpose. 

In swift review to-day, we have been through the records of those early be- 
ginnings of the fathers, made in such industry, frugality, and piety, as gives us all 
an honorable ancestral pride, and which a hundred years have matured to this de- 
gree of beauty and strength. Have we not cause for gratitude that our lot has 
been so happy, and that here each generation has been able to bequeath some 
better things to the generation that should come after, — thus making every man 
partaker of the power of humanity 1 We are suiTOunded to-day by those tokens 
of material, intellectual, moral, and religious growth, which, to the observer of 
man and his destiny, are the fairest objects on which the eye can rest, and the 
loftiest which the mind can contemplate. An intelligent industry has made these 
hills and plains a fit habitation for man. A wise regard for that knowledge which 
puts man in superiority to the powers around him, has placed within the reach of 
all, the means of intelligence; and those common sentiments of our nature which 



18^ 



<r\ve an upward aspect to human lot, inspired afresh by Christianity, have spread 
over all a sky of faith, and set many benignant stars of heavenly guidance. What 
do we need in the future but to be awakened to these ? We want no new lights, 
so much as we need to feel the sun that flames above us ! All human prosperity, all 
beauty and adorning of intelligence, and all providential guidance and grace are 
contained in these. 

Our centennial comes amid the agonies of civil war, hut let no man's heart, in- 
spired with love of freedom, fail. The clear north wind will yet drive these 
clouds away, and the pure heavens will spread out over all the land, in which all 
are free. Then shall a new career begin for man on earth; for the civilization that 
has made us prosperous and happy here, on these hill-sides, shall be the common 
fiiith and sentiment of mankind. 

Rev. Dr. Raymond : Mr. President, there is one man at the table 
whose voice we shall be glad to hear. It is true that he has already 
spoken elsewhere, but however copiously the Doctor may have poured 
himself out, he has always something left to say. I move, sir, that you 
call up the orator of the day. Rev. Dr. Stebbins. 

" Dr. Stebbins, Dr. Stebbins," called out many voices. 

The President : Doctor, you hear the calL It is loud and impera- 
tive. Let it be answered. 

Dr. Stebbins responded as follows : — 

Mr. President : I fear my too partial friend. Dr. Eaymond, did not take coun- 
sel of the brotherhood and sisterhood at the other end of the tables, and that your 
own kindly heart has for once hazarded an infliction upon already weary cars, — for 
if these guests are as weary of listening to my voice as I am of using it, it long 
since ceased to be "music" to their ears. The very flattering expressions in which 
the Judge on my left (Judge Merrick) has been pleased to speak of my addressf 
and the willing and patient ear which you lent to it through two mortal hours o, 
sweltering heat, can be accounted for in but one way, and that, — to these friends, 
innocent as infancy of antiquity and " vain genealogies," against too curiously 
prying into which the apostle warned all good Christians, — I will, with your per- 
mission, Mr. President, craving pardon of the apostle, explain. Our venerable 
and most worthy president, friends, is a type of a Wilbraham man. The best blood 
of the first families of Wilbraham is in his veins. Tidal sympathy and incorrujiti- 
hle integrity are the chief ingredients of that l)lood. For a quarter of a century no 
father in Hampden County lay down to die in disquiet lest his children should be 
uncared for or his widow defrauded or his estate wasted ; for to the hands of our 
president, as Judge of Probate, he could confidently commit wife, child, estate, and 
know that all would be well ; and never did suspicion breathe a syllable against 
his integrity anywhere ; his tongue always spoke the warm word that was in his 
heart, and men listened with delight. These facts may seem somewhat remote 
from the point which I am to elucidate, but their appositeness and force will soon 
be seen by every attentive listener, and will fully vindicate their introduction, 
though somewhat trying to the modesty of my venerable friend and hirisman. For 



188 



lio it known to all yc present, if any success has attentlecl my woi'ds to-day, cither 
in gratifying your curiosity or taste, either in instructing or delighting you, it is all, 
(ill due, icIioUji due, to the fact, that I have some blood which is common to his 
veins and mine, for my (/cmZ-grandfather married his (/ra7id father's sister. [Judge 
Morris, the president, intciTupting, My grandfather's cousin.] What a taking off 
is that ? Did ever ancestral pride receive a deadlier stab 1 What ! so thin the 
blood ! Good heavens, if in my poor watery veins such scattered drops can give 
such vital force and strength, what must not be the vigor and endurance of both 
soul and body of him in whose firm sinews and large heart it courses in equal 
portions 1 At four-score years the voice is clarion, and the step firm ! The Bliss 
blood forever ! 

This thinning, this dilution of blood in me, renders it possible for me to make 
an apology, which otherwise I should hardly have ventured on. My friend, on my 
left. Rev. Dr. Russell, is responsible for all this day's deficiencies. He was called, 
by his good old mother, Wilbraham, to speak the word on her hundredth birthday ; 
and naughty boy, as he never was before, he disoljej'cd his worthy parent. Good luck 
to him that he was so far off she could not Liy her correcting hand upon him, — 
for our good mother was a diligent and devout reader of Scripture, and had an 
enviable faith in Solomon's system of fiimily government, — as had he been within 
reach he would have loci-formed certain saltatory feats which are not defined in 
works on dancing. [Laughter.] 

The fact was just this, he would 7)ot mind ; but I, with the vigor of the venera- 
ble mother's arm distinctly in my mind, did obey, but under difiiculties. For the 
records did not reach me for more than three months after this older son was disobe- 
dient. It is no fault of the committee of arrangements, but his exclusively, that I 
should have done violence to facts and figures sometimes, but for the timely aid 
of my honored friend, the president of the da}^, and some of the vice-presidents. ^ 

But you know, Mr. President, that it is of the nature of this blood, whei-e there is 
anything to be done, to do it ; when there is any call, to hear it ; and I do not re- 
pent that I undertook the M'ork, though you may, for I have seen how steadily our 
obscure town has improved in all that is most worthy and desirable. 

Why, sir, in my school-days, hardly a boy had the presumption to study gram- 
mar, hardly a girl ventui'ed on arithmetic. The first geography, with an atlas, was 
introduced in my day; and I well renaember the amazement of the rest of the 
scholars when a boy ventured into vulgar fractions. I think I was the first teacher 
who used Colburn's Intellectual Arithmetic in town, and I think, by the twinkle 
of some eyes which I now see, that my first experiment, down in the woods near 
Mr. Cross's, is well remembered : — The boys sent out to run, t6 keep themselves 
warm ; the girls going to the fire by classes, to keep from freezing ; the splendid 
delight of the instantaneous conflagration of the old fireplace full of green white- 
birch wood, and the deep mortification of its as instantaneous extinguishment; the 
dropping of the pitch from the pine boards of the ceiling into the master's hair ; 
the use of a dilapidated door for a black-board ; and, above all, the discovery and 
uncovering of a nest of squiiTcls, which had gone into winter-quarters in the wall. 

1 Dr. Russell remarked, in his chair, that lie had the best of reasons, which his mother 
accepted at once, when he gave them to her; one of which, and tlie only one whieli he 
need to name, was, that she had another son, Dr. Stebbins, who could do it better. 



189 



All these arc fresh in memory. Now, what fine school-houses ! what aflmiral)lc 
teachers ! The method of cultivation, and the amount of crops, have also changed 
for the better almost infinitely. The lean, lank, long-legged, long-haired cows and 
oxen of the early time would frighten even Pharaoh's lean kine. What a contrast 
to the fat, sleek, glossy hej-ds of my friend, Paoli Lathrop, Esq., whom I see down 
the table, who has done enough for the improvement of stock, in the State, to 
satisfy any man's ambition but his own. 

In all things, the town has improved. Fields, vehicles, tools, machines, ajjparel, 
houses, furniture, — all, all has changed, and for the better. The morals are better, 
the culture is better, the whole intellectual, moral, and religious nature is better. 
They are simply croakers who say that the old days were better than these days, 
old institutions better than modern ones. They defame their ancestors who say 
that they did not leave the world better than they found it. Can we here and now, 
met in honor of their memory, say that our fathers left a worse heritage to their 
sons than they found, or that they so demoralized their children that we have wast- 
ed and spoiled our inheritance ? No, sir ; no, sir. 

I know there are some men who go through the world backwards ; they never see 
the path before ; they are always whining after the leeks and onions they have left ; 
they never see the grapes and figs and olives of the land of promise ; they advance 
backward, however, because the crowd presses them on. [Laughter.] They grum- 
ble, as they approach the land flowing with milk and honey, that they are forced 
away from the gnats and frogs. Were it not for the inexhaustible patience and 
mercy of the Infinite Father, they would never reach heaven. But he gently 
guifles them as they bach along up the straight and narrow way complaining that it 
is cramped and steep, — not capacious, as the old road, which was not only very broad 
and all the way down hill, but easy to walk in, as everybody went there. Still they 
bach along up, touched gently now on this side, now on that, as they near the one 
or the other edge of the way, grumbling still at the new kind of light that beams 
upon them, and the lengthening days, till they are safe over the sapphire thresh- 
old, on the golden pavement, in the shadowless day. How busy and patient the 
good angels must be, for many days, in reconciling them to their new and strange 
condition ! 

Enough, Ml-. President, more than enough. I l)cg pardon for occupying so 
much of your precious time, as the day is beginning to decline. I thank you all 
most cordially, from ray very heart's core, for the flattering reception you have 
given my words this day. The infinite l)cnediction rest upon you and your children 
evermore. 



Tlie band gave some stirring music. 

The Pkesidext : The hour has arrived at which this meeting should 
adjourn. The occasion has been one of rich enjoyment and instruction. 
May the civil war raging with such fury soon cease, and may our posterity 
never be called to rescue the altars of freedom from the pollution of 
treason. 

Once more a vote was called for, and unanimously given, directing the 
connnittee of arrangements to obtain and print the address. 



190 



Dr. Stebbins : Mr. President, I move that this meeting adjourn to 
June 15th, 1963. 

Judge Merrick : Mr. President, as I am sure I shall be under the 
necessity of being absent, and as my absence will cause little grievance to 
those who may attend, I second the motion of Dr. Stebbins. 

The President : By virtue of my high office, the highest I ever held 
in my life, I declare this meeting adjourned to June 15th, 1963. 

After many a hearty hand-shaking, and parting congratulations on the 
success which had attended the celebration, the multitude dispersed to 
their homes, with renewed respect for their ancestors, and with new vows 
to merit and win the respect of posterity. 

It should be stated here as a conclusion of the history of the celebra- 
tion, that the town voted, November, 1863, to have "five hundred copies 
of the Address printed for distribution among the families in town," and 
two hundred and fifty copies more were ordered by the Committee. 

The following accoimt of the celebration appeared in the Springfield 
Daily Republican, June 16, 1863 : — 

THE WILBRAHANl CENTENNIAL, 

ADDRESS BY KEV. RUFUS P. STEBBINS, D. D. THE CROWD. THE DINNER 

THE SPEECHES. 

Monday, June 1.5, was a memorable day in the annals of Wilbraliam. As mem- 
bers of a scattered household I'eturn on thanksgiving day to festivities and joyous 
reunions around the paternal fireside, came the sons and daughters of Wilbraham, 
from Maine and from Minnesota, and from the States between, to celebrate the 
hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of their native town. All "Wilbraham 
was out with go-to-meeting clothes on, to welcome the wanderers, and make the 
occasion pass pleasantly. And in this they were wholly successful, for it was a 
time of unbroken enjoyment, even to the few who chanced to be there while so 
unfortunate as to own some other town as a birthplace, and doubly enjoyable to 
those whose childhood was passed within the precincts of the quiet old town. 

About eleven o'clock, the procession formed in front of the Congregational 
Church, and marched to Eiske Hall on the academy grounds, tinder the direction 
of Samuel M. Bliss, marshal of the day, and escorted by the Holyoke Brass Band. 
Here every available seat and standing-place was quickly appropi'iated, and the 
large audience, although in many instances crowded to uncomfortalileness, remained 
quiet until the close of the exercises. Upon the platform were the oldest men in 
Wilbraham, and some of her returning sons, who declined being considered aa 
guests. The exercises at the hall were begun by a prayer from Rev. John B. 
Skeele, of Wilbraham, after which Judge Morris, Sen., of this city, upon whom 
appropriately and gracefully fell the honors of the presiding officer, made a brief and 
happy speech, alluding to the occasion as a proud and joyous one, and welcoming 



191 



home the sons and the sons' sons of old Wilbraham, when he introdnced the 
orator of the day, Rev. Eufiis P. Stebbins, I). D., of Woburn. 

In Dr. Stcbbms' address, historical fact and impressive eloquence, minute detail 
and iiTcsistihle humor were admirably commingled. No greater compliment could 
be paid to the town and the occasion than that they were thought worthy of such 
an elaborate effort by so distinguished a speaker. Dr. Stebbins divided the history 
of the town into four periods, the first beginning with the time Nathaniel Hitch- 
cock cleared, in 1 731 , his two acres, and lived there, with no neighbors nearer than 
Springfield to plague him, and closing with the setting off of the Springfield 
Mountains, June 16, 1741, — a period devoted principally to clearing in the north 
part of the to^vn ; the second period including the time the town was a precinct, — 
from 1741 to 1763, — when they were perfecting the an-angeraents for the settle- 
ment of the "woi'thy Noah Merrick," as their pastor ; the third period extending 
from the incorporation of the town, in 1763, to 1782, when it was divided into par- 
ishes, and including the Ilcvolutionary War; and the fourth from 1782 to the 
present time. The speaker reviewed the whole of these periods, adorning the 
smallest particulars in such beautiful and appropriate language that each became 
thereby much more interesting to the hearer. The peroration of the address was 
eloquent to a high degree, and closed with a noble apostrophe to coming genera- 
tions to sustain the Christian manhood of their ancestors and the good name of 
Wilbraham. Dr. Stebbins spoke two hom-s and a half, and it is impossible, in so 
bi'ief a space, to do justice to an address of such length and excellence. By a 
unanimous vote of the audience, a copy was requested for printing. 

Turning now from this intellectual treat, the procession reformed and marched 
to the academy dining-hall, where had been made ample provision for the suste- 
nance of the inner man. Grace was said by Rev. Dr. Raymond. After grace, the 
usual knife-and-foi'k chorus, with the accompanying pantomime, was enacted with 
a vigor which proved that the descendants of the old stock knew what to do with 
a good dinner. Rev. Mr. Penbody said grace after the meal, when Judge Morris 
called upon Judge Pliny Merrick, of Boston and of the Supreme Court, whom 
he introduced as a grandson of the first minister of Wilbraham. Judge Mer- 
rick paid a high eulogium to the oration and orator of the day, and alluded in 
fitting terms to his worthy ancestor. His brief but excellent speech was followed 
by the singing of the old ballad, the first composed in Wilbraham before the Rev- 
olution, of which a copy remains beginning, — 

" On Springfield mountains tlierc did dwell 
A likely youtli was known full well." 

This was "litted off" according to the old style, and sung in Old Hundred by 
the audience, the old men and women joining with a gusto that would have been 
creditable in their grandchildren. The next speaker was Rev. Dr. Russell, of 
East Randolph, who made a few touching and beautiful remarks, i-evealing the 
grave side of the picture. Then came Rev. Horatio Stebbins, of Portland, Maine, 
and he spoke long and well, calling up reminiscences of the time when he went to 
church in a building, which, in an architectural point of view, was a cross between 
a Greek temple and a Yankee barn. A score of humorous and pathetic incidents 
were carelessly and admirably strung together, and with telling effect. The speaker, 



192 



in closing, alluded, in stirring words, to the duty of the hour, and urged all who 
heard him to stand nobly for the right. Rev. Dr. Stebbins of Woburn was last 
called upon, and while the target of several sharpshooters, proved his ability to 
return the true metal, and make a capital dinner-table speech, as well as an elabo- 
rate oration. At a late hour the assemblage adjourned to June 15, 1963. 

And thus passed a bright and happy day to the natives of Wilbraham. Green 
be it ever in their memory ! 

The following letter from the Hon. George Merrick, grandson of the 
Rev. Noah Merrick, explains the cause of his absence from the celebra- 
tion : — 

South Glastenbury, Nov. 13, 1863. 

Dear Sir : In answer to yours of the 10th, I would say that I intended to have 
been present at the celebration, but was prevented by an unfortunate mistake ( in 
the date of the letter of invitation). Being the grandson of Noah Merrick, so 
intimately connected with the early history of the town, my absence would other- 
wise be inexcusable. 

I should have been pleased to have met my former townsmen, many of whom 
were the descendants, and all the successors of those few sturdy emigrants, the 
founders of this beautiful town. How gratifying it is to know they would not even 
assume a name till they had laid "broad and deep the foundation of their religious 
and educational institutions ! We know little of their trials and hardships, — of 
how many of what we call necessaries and conveniences they denied themselves 
that they might enjoy the oi-dinances of God's house. How interesting the occa- 
sion of the assemblage of that little band of six or seven church-members under 
an oak, to set apart one of their number to administer to them in holy things. In 
common with (jther towns of New England, these pilgrims introduced a new 
phase in civilization, in the system of free schools which they established, which 
now are the pride and glory of our land. They had no conception of the 
consequences of their work, — that while they were providing for their wants, | 
they formed the nucleus of a mighty republic, destined to be bounded only by 
oceans. Is not the hand of Providence plainly discernible in these primitive oper- 
ations of our fathers ? These glorious fruits of their labor they have transmitted, 
as a rich legacy, to us, in trust for us to cherish, and in like manner to leave unim- 
])aired to those that come after us. The themes growing out of our centennial cel- 
ebration are exciting; but without indulging further thoughts, I offer these as the 
only tribute in my power to that interesting occasion. 

Very truly yoiu's, &c., 

' GEORGE MERKICK. 

Rev. RUF0S P. Stebbins, d. d. 



193 



■ A. p. 19. 

EVIDEXCE OP THE RELINQUISHMENT OV THE CLAIM OF THE IN- 
DUS S TO THE TERUITOliY WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS, FOUND IN 
THE OFFICE OF REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF HAMPDEN COUNTY. 

An evidence of the purchase of lands at Frcshwatci- River, takinj; in the mcd- 
owes on both sides tlie Iliver, as also from the lands from the five mile pond East- 
ward to y'^ monntainos & so northward to Chickuppc River, being purchases fro 
y'= Indians Wcquaugan Wawapaw & Wequampo : by & for y'= Town of Spring- 
fil'i. 

These presents testify that the Indian called Wcquaugan, formerly called Wru- 
thcrna & the Indian called Wawapaw formerly called Noiapompolan in considera- 
tion of the Sume of One Hundred & twenty fathom of Wampam to them in hand 
paid. And that the Indian called Wequompo in consideration of sixty fathom of 
Wampam to him in hand paid l)n\)C given granted bargained & sold. And by these 
p*^scnts Doe fully clearly & al)solutely give, grantc bargain & sel vnto Elizur Ilolyoke, 
George Coulton Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester, for 
the vse & behoofe of the Town of Springfield certaine tracts of Land Vpland Mcd- 
owes and Swamps hereafter mentioned & described. That is to say, the said Wc- 
quaugan & Wawapaw first acknowledging that their AncestCi* Did sel vnto M"' 
William Pynchon late of Springfield, for the yse & behoofe of the said Town of 
Springfield a good Portion or tracts of Lands lying on the East side of the Kivcr 
Quinecticut (& by the said River) that is to say, by the River, along fi'om the lower 
end of the (racdow, called by the Indians Massacksic & by the English called the) 
Long meadow vp to Chickuppe River. And in breadth Eastward for al that 
Length about as far from the River Quinccticat, as the five mile pond w<='' lyes by 
the Bay path ; Concerning w<=l» Tract of Land the said Wcquaugan & Wawapaw 
Doc for themselves & their^ Successors, for the vsc & behoofe of the Inhabitants of 
Springfield, forever quit al right Title Interest Claime & Demand in &■ to al the 
said Tract of Land before described. SlnD the Tract of Land w"-"'' the said Wc- 
quaugan & Wawapaw Do hereby Sel as aforesaid Lyeth partly by & adjoineth to the 
South end & East side of the Tract of Land above descril)ed (w"^'' they acknowlcdg 
was sold to the said M^ William Pynchon as aforesaid) That is to say, All the 
Lands, W'' lie w"'in the bounds hereafter mentioned. And therefore the South 
bounds thereof, is the Riveret called by the Indians Asnuntuel (&by the English 
Called ffrcshwater River, or ffreshwatcr brooke) «& soc from the mouth of that 
Riveret vizt. from Connecticut or Quineciticut RiV the bounds Runs up the said 
Riveret to the mcdows thcrcvpon & from thence vp the said Riveret, the bounds 
takes in al the medows on both sides of flresh water River orbrookes that Run Jnto 
it to the vpland on the Southerly side of such medows : & at the Place where 
Freshwater River or ffreshwatcr brooke turns Northerly, the South bounds extend 
Eastward to the Riveret called Scantuck, vizt. the place by the fills, where the 
path that Icades to Pcquit or ^lohcagc goes over that Riveret & fro thence the s<i 
River Scantucke is the General bounds of the Lands contained in this Purchase, 
vizt. vp to the Place where the said River or Riveret Scantuck comes down from 
the Mountaines, yet Al the medows on l)oth sides of Scantuck River, are likewise 
contained in the Purchase, And from the Place where Scantuck River comes down 
25 



194 



fro the mountaincs, the foot of the mountaincs is the Easterly bounds, vp as far 
Northerly til it meet with the Lands purchased of the said Wequompo : & the 
West bounds or border are the Lands formerly sold to m'' William Pynchon late 
of Springfield as afores'^ ^UC the said Wequaugan & Wawapaw Doe for y"'selves 
& their succcsso'"s to the vsc and bchoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield for 
Ever quit al claime to & al right title & Interest in any of Lands abovemcntioned 
& hereby sold, & which are contained w"'in the bounds abovemcntioned. Except 
liberty of fishing & hunting, which they Reserve to themselves, yet not to damnify 
the English thereby, ^t w*^'' tract of Lands w*^'' are Contained w"'in the bounds 
above mentioned, together w"' al the profit and comoditys thereupon or therevnto 
belonging, the said Elizur Holyoke, George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley Samuel 
Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the vse & behoofe service & iraploymen' of 
the Towne of Springfield (& not otherwise) are to have hold & Enjoy y'"selvcs & 
their hcires for Ever w"iout let, trouble or molestation from the s*^ Wcquaugan Wa- 
wapaw or any other: ^nO the tract of Land hereby sold by Wequompo are such 
as are contained w'l'in the bounds & limits hereafter mentioned & Described, That 
is to say, The South bounds thereof are the lands before mentioned, sold by Wc- 
quaugan & Wawapaw ; And Eastward the Foot of the mountaincs are the bounds 
thei-eof ; &, Northerly Chickuppc Eivcr is the bounds thereof; And the Westerly 
bounds thereof are the lands above mentioned form''ly sold to M"" William 
Pynchon as aforesaid. 0t w'^'> Tract of Land soe bounded & described together 
w"' all the profits & comoditys thcrcvpon or thcrevnto belonging the said Elizur 
Holyoke, George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield, «& Anthony Dor- 
chester for the vse & behoofe, service & Employm* of the Towne of Springfield, & 
not otherwise, are to have hold & enjoy for themselves & their heircs for Ever, 
w"^out let trouble or molestation from the said Indian called Wequompo, or any 
other:, ^iia the said Wequompo Doth for himselfe & his successo''s for the vse, 
behoofe & benefit of the Inhabitants of Springfield for Ever quit al claim to & al 
his right. Title & Interest in any of the Lands aboyc mentioned to be sold & 
w<='i are Contained wi">in the bounds above expressed : Except liberty of Fishing 
& Hunting w<^'> he reserveth : ^no it is the intent of these p^sents That y" s<i 
Elizur Holyoke George Coulton, Benjamin Cooley, Samuel Marshfield & An- 
thony Dorchester themselves and their heires for ever by virtue of these Presents are 
not to have any benefit or Priviledge in the Lands, otherwise than as they are or 
shal be Inhabitants of the Town of Springfield or otherwise, then in General in & 
w"> the Town, or otherwise then they have legal Eight therein, or may be granted 
by the Town, for that the Lands sold by the Indians above named, are so sold for 
& to y^ onely vse & behoofe of the Inhabitants of Springfield & to be wholy at 
their disposure. 

i 

Febr 4*. 1678. Being desired at a Town meeting in Springfield to declare 
what I know concerning the Purchase of the Lands abovcsaid; I doc declare and 
attest as followcth viz : That 

The Indians above named, viz. Wcquaugan & Wawapaw & Wecombo the true 
& proper owners of al the Lands above mentioned Did scl and by sale forever passe 
away al the Land above mentioned to M"^ Elizur Holyoke, Geo. Colton, Bcnja. 
Cooly, Saml Marshfield & Anthony Dorchester for the vse & behoofe of the Town 



195 



of Springfield : The bargain being made in my prscncc, and as I remember It 
was in the yeer 1674 or thereabouts ; I was often w"^ y"' in Treaty about it, w'^^ at 
last came to a conchision, to be as abovcmcntioncd, the payment also for the 
Lands as above cxp''sse'' , passing through my hands to the Indians, which 
they Gladly accepted, & did willingly own the sale to me after this Deed was 
Drawne, they comeing particularly one at a tyme to me to subscribe it, when I told 
them they must come altogether, the want of which was the onely obstruction, for 
they often sevcraly acknowledged the sale, & this writing to be according to their 
mind, and meaning. Also testifying their Rcadincs to come altogether & sub- 
scribe, w'^'i as they promised, so doubtles they avouUI have done but that the 
Jndian Warre happening in the year 1675, They w"i other Jndians were drove 
away, before which time they made the above express'i Sale, And I do declare 
they did come personally & owne & acknowledg the conveighance & sale of the 
Land above mentioned, as above exp'"ssed. 

This then done & by yo Indians Wcquaugan & Wawapaw & Wecombo owned 
& acknowledged Before me 

JOHN PYNCHON, Assi'skmt. 

This cntrcd these Records for the County of Hampshire July 12th 1679 as 
Attest 

JOHN HOLYOKE, Ecco'^':': 

I regret that I have not been able to find the original deed conveying 
the land east of the line indicated by this deed. There are many tradi- 
tions respecting the claim of a blind Indian to the territory of the town, 
and of some compensation made to him to liquidate it. I can find no suf- 
ficient evidence to render the tradition reliable as a fact. I have come to 
distrust traditions. 

The following is a copy of the vote of the town of Springfield by which 
the land of the " Outward Commons " was allotted. The copy from which 
I print was made a century after the vote was passed : — 

FiCR'i' 3d, 1GS4. (10S5 as wc reckon). 
Att a General Town Meeting. 
Further forasmuch as the additional bounds or Grant of Lands to this Town by 
the Hono'-'i Gen^i Co"-' May last 1G84, was & is to the present Inhal)itants & 
proprietor of Springfield their' Heirs & assigns forever. Many of whom arc desirous 
of & moving for their Share in s^ lands, upon W^" w"^ other Considerations In- 
ducing, It was at this Meeting Voted & Concluded that the Eastern line or bound 
of the plantatation of Springfield being run & Stated from Hadley Town bound 
on the North to Enfield Town bound on the South, Then all the land from the 
s'l Eastern line for four miles westward toward the s^ Springfield from both the 
Northern & Southern bounds is hereby Granted & agreed to be laid out in Proprietys 
to Each p'-scnt Inhabitant & proprietor his Heirs & assigns forever his due propor- 
tion, & also the lands on the west Side of the Great River from John Rdey's Brook 
Northward to Northampton bounds, & to Westfield bounds westward. Also the 



196 



land from the head of the Brook beyond Thomas Coopers that runs into three 
mile Brook unto Southficld Southward & unto Wcstfield westward be alike dis- 
tributed to Each Inliabitant & propricto'" their Heirs & assigns forever; & in 
special it Avas Voted that thi-ee hundred acres at the least be granted to the Minis- 
try on the East side the River out of the land hereby first Voted to be laid out as 
afores'', & that one hundred & fifty acres be to the School out of the same & that 
the ministry & tlie School have their projiortions in the lands on the west side of 
the Great Kiver. As also that o'' Reverend Teacher M*"- Pelatiah Glover have his 
proportion in the Lands hereby agreed to be laid out on both Sides of the Great River. 
It was further Voted & agreed that the lands on the East bounds of the Town 
Shall be laid out in three Divisions & that the lands on the west side the gr't 
River shall be laid out in two divisions to Each man his proportions. It was also 
Voted that these divisions to each man shall be by Casting of lotts, & that division 
by Casting lots, be by as many lots or Casting of lots as thei'e be divisions. It 
was further Voted that the first lot begin on the Northerly part of the land to be 
divided ; also it was further Voted that these divisions ])e by Estates and poles, & 
that the poles lie Esteemed in the Rate at twelve pounds p'' pole «&. that all Male 
Children under age be Valued as rateable polls viz. 12.£ p"' pole. It was further 
Voted & Concluded that these Lands when divided while Common or Unfcnced 
shall be Common or free to all the Inhalntants for Grass, herbage & Timl)cr & free 
from Rates till Improved & then Rated only as Improved, & that Jno. Holyokc 
draw a list of Estates & poles of the Inhabitants for the Measurer. 



The following is a copy of the allotment, made from the records of the 
town of Springfield. There was one division, — the first, — lying wholly 
in the present town of Ludlow, north of this second division, which was 
mostly in what is now the town of Wilbraham. 



A LIST OF THE LOTTS IN THE SECOND OR MIDDLE DIVISION OF THE OUT- 
WARD COMMONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE GREAT KIVER IN SPRINGFIELD 
ARE AS FOLLOWS, VIZ.: 



Jiods. Ft. In. 

Samuel Marsh field IS 'J 

Collo. Pvnchon l^'i ] J 

David Throw I 5 

.Jolin Warner 11 1 

Samuel Stebbins 9 11 

James Stephenson 1 4 

Benjamin Knowlton .') 11 

Joseph Stelihins Id 12 

Ohadiah Miller, Junr H 

Ebenezer Jones G 7 

Elinkim Cooley U I 

.lonathan Burt.Juiir 5 ]•*> 

Widow Bedortha 4 

Increase Sikes.Junr 10 8 

John Bnrt, Senr 5 4 

James Petty 4 (j 

Quartermai>ter Colton 25 7 

James Mnnn I V2 

Josepii Ely 1 5 

Widow Sikcs, Senr I> (! C 

John Stewart 7 7 10 

Joseph Cooley R 14 

Jonathan Moi(;;in. 5 10 

.lonutlian Taylor's Estate .5 11 

John llolyoke 20 4 

Henry Rogers 9 8 

John Colton 1 5 

John Lamb 17 I'l 

John Miller H 5 

School Lot IS U 



Kods. Ft. In. 

Revd. Mr. Glover 21 8 '.) 

Thomas Miller 8 4 

Lnzunis Miller 2 

Nathaniel Pntchard 8 I 11 

Henty Gilhert 4 2.. 

Samu-1 Bliss. Junr W H 

Tliomas Taylor 1 10 3 

Ministry lott .,7 4 .. 

Victory Sikes 1 U 1 

'I'honias Stebbins .'i 1" 

Thomas Gilhert 5 8 4 

Obadiah Cooley, S-nr 20 5 .s 

James Warriner, Senr 20 .. 8 

Daniel Cooley 13 9 ,5 

Nathaniel Munn .'! 8 10 

PeterSwink :! li ■' 

Sntnuel BliSS, Senr 18 S 9 

John Bli^s IS 9 .. 

Sinnuel Miller 5 7 

Nicholas Rnst ( 

Nath.aniel Sikes, Senr 4 .. 9 

GoodwifeKostei's Estate 5 8 1 

Edward Stebbins 5 4 5 

Henry Chapin 19 14 

Samuel Jones -l I'i 

Joseph Bedortha 9 0.. 

St. Abel Wright 10 14 4 

V\ ido. Parsons lo 8 

.John Scott 7 9 7 

Widow Bcauion 8 12 .. 



197 



A'"- Rods. Ft. In. 

(II John Clnrkc 2 13 U 

<;.' Thorn IS Sivcntniin 2 in .. 

U: John Clark's E tatc G 11 2 

(;t .l..hii Dirinhleton 114 

(r. Joscli \>iil,.v 14 11 4 

Di (Ihadi h :\Iiller, Junr 2 ].-> 3 

(w .I'.h.i Klicip'sEstalu (i 3 .. 

(!■! Philip M.iitoon 5 II 

U'.t Se. .J,,hM ll.tchcnc-k 22 2 4 

'D Dni.l Liunbaril M 1 11 

71 . 1, )hii Withers 1 o .. 

72 Jns.ph brinks 1 5 .. 

7.'! D;niiul BtMMion 15.. 

74 .ToliM Xi.rt.m 8 .-5 8 

7) Thoinis I);ir, Seiir Hi 3 5 

7(; Eilwai.l Foster !) 7 4 

77 Saiiiu,! Bedortha 4 14 3 

75 Siinii-l Osbiirn 1 l.i G 

7:) .Ion;itluin Ball 11 13 .. 

S'l SaiTiii. 1 Kerry. Seiir !) G 11 

Si Isaa'- Coltoii 1.". 3 3 

K2 David JI,)rs m U 13 fi 

8! John Barber 11 4 

81 James Oshurii 2 .5 2 

M Knsn. Coolev Estate G 1) 10 

8; J.iiiJthnn Ashlev 14 11 4 

87 John Bair'''s Cliildreii G 2 5 

8S J.Miies Barker .■> 4 .. 

8!i Joseph Cn.wf-nts Estate 7 14 .. 

'.!) Dencil. lierja. I'irsons 12 G 7 

m Capt •I'hi.iiiisC.lton 19 13 8 

il.' SamiulEly, Seiir 11 7 !) 

SC Isaac Morgan 13 1 



Rorh, Ft. Jn. 

Joseph Thomns 5 2 

Samuel Bliss, yd 2 14 4 

John Uorehester 22 2 U 

Joseph Leonard 14 8 U 

l.'ike lliteheock, Scnr. 10 7 B 

Wido.Munn 2 10 .. 

I^enjaniin Cooley 7 3 G 

Wiiio. Rilev 4 13 lU 

Abel Leonard G 3 9 

Bei.jamin S(ebbins. Senr 5 4 10 

Janns Do Chester, Serir 12 11 

Japhct Cliapin 23 2 1 

Thomas Merrick, Scnr ]S l.> 7 

Thomas Jones 1 10 .. 

Samnel Owen 'J G 11 

J din Harmon 13 .. 

liowland Thomas 12 G 7 

Wdliam Brooks 8 

Beniamin Leonard 10 13 3 

Josiah I-ponard 10 ]0 7 

Charles Ferry, Senr 14 10 U 

Wido. Ilorton ID 2 'J 

Miles Morgan 10 1 10 

Deacn. Jona. Buit 12 G 7 

Richard Wait 15.. 

Thonnis Cooper IS 7 3 

Jolm Crowfoot 3 8 .. 

Nathaniel Bliss, Senr 9 8 10 

: Samuel Bad 12 4 .. 

Nathaniel Burl. Senr 23 .. 4 

James Tax lor, Senr G 7 3 

Ephraim Colton, Senr 15 10 8 



A LIST OF THE LOTTS OF THE OUTWARD COMMONS ON THE EAST SIDE OF 
THE GRE.4.T RIVER IN SPRINGFIELD, ARE AS FOLLOWS, VIZ. THIRD DIVI- 
SION: 



I 



Vo. nods. FL Jn. 

1 Thomns Tarlor 1 10 3 

2DaMdThro"w IS.. 

3 Jonathan Mo -an 5 10 1 

4 Wi.low Beanien 8 12 .. 

5 Obailiiih Cooley, Senr. 20 5 8 

G Joseph Ti oinas 9 5 2 

7 Japhet Chnpin 23 2 1 

8 Benjamin SteLbns, Senr 5 4 10 

1/ John Warner U 1 7 

in Nathaniel Mnnn 3 8 !0 

11 Thomas Cooper IS 7 3 

12 Viclorv Sik. s 1 U 1 

I! Wm. Brooks 8 9 

14 John Ciowfoot 3 8 .. 

15 Rjv. Mr. Glover 21 8 9 

IG Samuel Jones 3 13 .. 

17 Sf. Abel Wright IG 14 4 

18 John Scott 7 9 7 

19 Mies .M<.r!.'an 10 1 10 

20 Joseph Cooley 5 14 G 

Jl Jonathan Taylor's Estate 5 11 .. 

22 J..hn.\o,ton 8 3 8 

21 Thomas l.dbert 5 8 4 

24 Deacon Hurt 12 li 7 

2.1 Ebene/er Jones G 7 10 

.'G Joseph Be, lortha 9 G .. 

27 N;ithaiiiil I'riteliard 8 1 11 

28 Edwaril Stebbins 5 4 5 

29 Jonathan Ashlev 14 II 4 

id Ensn. Conley's Estate G 9 10 

31 Joseph Marks 15 .. 

jJ Ben) iinin Cooley 7 3 G 

V; Tnomas Swetniau 2 10 .. 

W James <),-h.,rn 2 5 2 

;.-, John lilis- 18 9 .. 

!li Jos.-ph Stel.l.ins 1-5 ]2 .. 

!7 Oiiadi ill Mider, Senr 8 8 9 

N L-.,zarns Miller 2 G G 

;9 Samuel Eiv, Scnr 11 7 9 

in John Stiwait 7 7 10 

11 Widow liedortha 4 3 4 

12 Siniu.l Hall 12 4 .. 

3 Simiiel Mcrshficld 13 '-i C 

14 John Lii.il) 17 10 2 

I,-, Siniml TeiTV 9 G 11 

IG Thom IS Merrick, Senr 18 15 7 

1? John Uirmon 9 13 .. 

18 Joseph Ashley 14 U 4 

19 Increase Sikes, Senr 10 8 .. 

iO John Barber U * 



>. liocls. 

I J,t. Hitchcock 22 

i Peter Swink 3 

! Samu.l Bliss, 3d 2 

1 Nicholas Rnst 7 

i Samnel Mille;- 5 

! Charles Ferrv, Senr 14 

■ David Morgan 9 

i Isaac Mor-an 

) Benjamin Knowlton 5 

t James Dorchester, Senr 12 

. Philip Maltoon 5 

! John Ki ep's Estate G 

I Widow Ilorton 19 

I IMinistrv Lolt 37 

, J.isiph tlv 1 

: Nathaniel'Sikes, Sen 4 

■ David Lumbar.l 8 

j Thomas Day, Senr IG 

I Jaim s Stephenson 1 

I James Petty 4 

Capt. Thomas Cidton 19 

! John Clark's Estate G 

I Is^acColton 13 

John Leonard 14 

; John Dorchester 22 

I James Tavlor, Senr G 

John Withers 1 

1 Eliakim Cooley 11 

Widow Riiev * 

I lien rv Rogers ... 9 

Col. Pynchoii 133 

Samnel Bedortha 4 

Thomas Mi, Icr 8 

Daniel Cooley 13 

John Bapgs Children G 

Sam uel ( isburn I 

George Colton 23 

Heniv Gilbert 4 

John' Miller * 

Dea. Ben j. Parsons G 

Edward Foster 9 

Nathaniel Burt, Senr 23 

Serjt. Hitchcock 10 

Thomas Jones 1 

Nathaniel Bliss 9 

J.din Burt. Senr 5 

Kicluird Wait I 

\\idow Sikes 9 

James Munn J 

JouatlianEall H 



r. 

I 



198 



No. Iio(7s. Ft. In. Ko. Rods. Ft. In. 



101 Samnel Owen 9 

VH Joshih Leunard 10 

]l)3 Samuel Siehbins 

]01 Samuel Bliss Scnr IS 

1(1.5 Abel LeMiiard G 

IW) J lines Barker 5 

1117 Widow Parsons 10 

lOS Thomas Stebbins 5 

1(10 James Warriner, Senr 2(1 

110 Ephraim Colton, Senr 13 



lU School T,'>tt 18 

II.) Widow Minn 2 

IKi Sinuiel Bliss, .lunr KJ 

lir U.miel Beanion 1 

US .Jonathan Burt, Junr 5 

11!) Mr. Ilolvoke 2(i 

y>» K'.wlancl Tlioinas 12 

Ul John Colion 1 

122 John Clarke 2 

liS Joseph Crowfoot's Estate . . 



lU Beniainin Leonard 10 ],•! ;i | I-H Joiin Diimhleton U 

312 Henry Chapiii i:i 14 ..' Ii5 Obad:ah Miller, Junr 2 

113 Goodn Foster's Estate 5 8 1! 



NOTKS ON THE AnovE SCHEDULE OF A' LOTMENTS.— The sonth lot of the Second Division was bonnded 
by the south line of Dea. Moses Burt's farm. On the smith of tliis lot, No. 12."). was the overplus land of Di- 
vision Second, eighty-two rods wide, tlien commenced lot No. 1, of the Tliird Division. I have not been able 
to locate all the prcsi-nt farms on these lots, as I did not know the wirltli of all the farms. I will, however, 
give such n clew to their location that their owners will tasily be able tn ditemiine their original lots. Com- 
mence on the south line of Dea. Burt's farm, and reckon north. It will he seen by the Schedule that the lot 
of Ephraim Colton, Sen. is the south lot, 12.')th, and is 1.5, 10, 8, in width. Count no' th till any piirticular farm 
l.s reached by adding the width of the lots and conipariiiR them with the width of the farms. John M. Mer- 
rick's farm includes most of lots lOj, lOG. lOr. The first road to Stony Hill, which crossed the street not far 
from the present Boarding House, was on the north side of Ilil. The farm of John Weslev Bliss includes 
fiO-7t; Mr. Jones's, 50-58; Mr. Merrill's, 48-i5: Mr. Bliss's, 43-47! Mrs. John Bliss's, .39-42; Mr. Warren Col- 
lins's, 38, the north ministry lot; Mr. Baldwin's, 31-37: .Mr. Collins's, '22-311, or to Chicopee River. These es- 
timates are only approximatelv correct, as I do not know the eT«i< width of ihese farms. 

The south boundar.v of the Third Division was in John W. Langilon's farm; ihe rest of his farm is on the 
overplus land. John W. Langdon's farm includes lots 121-12.'): Mr. Chattee's, I'.'i-lJI; Ralph S. and Silas Cha- 

pin's, 110-114, irii-luding the south school lot; Mr. Pease's, 1(18-110: Mr. , lO.VIi 7: Mr. l<ock«ood's, 102-1U4: 

Mr. 8.1-101: Mr. Slehbins's, S.'-.-S, oil the north side of which is one of Survevor Ne» burv's boundary 

ptone<; Mr. Isliam's 'ind Mr. West's. 8|, — this is Col. Pyiichon's lot: Mr. Shenherds, 7.)-Sil; Mr. Moseley's, 74- 
75: Mr. Leach's, 05-73: Jlr. Ses-ion's ."I'.l-Cl. including the sonlb ministry 1. t; Mr. Stel b:ll^'s, .55-."iS: Mr. Pease's, 
4U5I; Mr. Hitchcock's, 44-48: Mr. Cro-s's, 43-.32. These, like Ihe otiur locations, are only approximations. 

All the farms named are on the main road, west of tue mountains. Ptrsous living in other parts of the 
town, who arc due east or west of the farms named, will be on the same lots. 



B. p. 26. 

INDIAN NAME OF WILBnAHAM. 

I find that traditions differ respecting the Indian name of the town. 
Dr. Merrick, in his MS. address, delivered 1831, and which was deposited 
with the town clerk, says it was " Manseorus," — if I have correctly de- 
ciphered the very illegible word in the address, — which he says is sup- 
posed to mean " Mountains." This is far from true. The Indian word 
for mountain is '' Wachush," hence " Wachusett," the High Mountain, in 
Worcester County, and Massachusetts, the name of the State. The Hon. 
George Merrick, of East Glastonbury, Conn., son of Dr. Merrick, writes 
me that the Indian name was " Minnechaug," meaning "Berry Land." 
I have adopted the latter as being probably correct. 



The following dates of the time the settlers came here, before the Pre- 
cinct was incorporated, are obtained mostly from Clark [Samuel] War- 
ner's record of births and deaths. It can be considered as only approxi- 
mately accurate, as a birth may not have occurred until sometime after 
settlement, or may have taken place in Springfield Street, as we know 
was sometimes the case, where better accommodations could be furnished 
the sick : — 

1731-4. Nathaniel Hitchcock. 1731-4. Daniel Warner. 

" Noah Alvord. " Nathaniel Warriner 



199 



1734. 


Moses Bnrt. 


1739. 


David Mirick. 


1735. 


Samusl Warner, 2(1. 


" 


Thomas Mirick, 2d 


(( 


Samuel Stclibins. 


1740. 


Benjamin Wight. 


(< 


David Mirick. 


" 


David Warriner. 


1736. 


David Jones. 


" 


David Chapin, Jr. 


" 


Abel Bliss. 


" 


Isaac Brewer. 


" 


Daniel Lamb. 


" 


Moses Bartlctt. 


1737. 


Aaron Parsons. 


" 


Nathaniel Bliss, 2d 


" 


Daniel Parsons. 


" 


Henry Wright. 


" 


Cornelius Webb. 


" 


Thomas Glover. 


1739. 


Benjamin Warriner. 


** 


Joseph Sikcs. 



MARIIIAOES OF EARLY SETTLERS. 

Nathaniel Hitchcock to Hannah Taylor, of Hadley, March 28, 1730. 

David Chapin 10 Mindwell Hoi ton, Northampton, May 8, 1730. 

Daniel Warner to Jerusha Hitchcock, June 9, 1731. 

Benoni Atchinson to Jemima Bartlctt, May 2, 1732. 

Daniel CadwcU to Mary Warriner, May 4, 1732. 

Caleb Stebbins to Elizabeth Warriner, November 23, 1732. 

Moses Burt to Hannah Warriner, January 11, 1733. 

Nathaniel Warriner to Margaret Mirrick, March 1, 1733. 

Thomas Mirick 3d to Eunice Stebbins, March 26, 1733. 

Nathaniel Bliss to Priscilla Burt, September 25, 1733. 

Stephen Stebbins to Sarah Bliss, October 9, 1733. 

Samuel Stebbins to Mary Knowlton, March 20, 1734. 

David Mirick to Mary Colton, December 7, 1734. 

Joseph Brooks to Mary Sikes, November 8, 1734. 

Daniel Lamb to Martha Ashley, December 19, 1734. 

Daniel Warner Jr. to Mary Gilling, July 17, 1735. 

Abel Bliss to Jemima Chapin, January 16, 1736. 

Isaac Brewer to Mary Bliss, April 22, 1736. 

Thomas Mirick Jr. to Mary Warner, May 10, 1738. 

Phineas Chapin to Bethiah Chapin, Eebruary 1, 1739. 

David Chapin to Rachel Lumbard, May 3, 1 739. 

Moses Bartlctt to Miriam Knowlton, April 14, 1739. 

Jonathan Ely to Esther Chapin, 1740. 

Joseph Sikcs to Hannah Wright, 1742. 

William King to Jemima Bliss, June 11, 1742. Published. 

Abncr Chapin to Abigail Warner, November 29, 1742. Published. 

Aaron Stebbins to Mary Wright, December 4, 1742. Published. 



REWARDS FOR KILLING INJURIOUS BIRDS AND ANIMALS, OFFERED 
BY SPRINGFIELD. I'age 21. 
1741, March 10. "Voted that there be allow"! to any Person or Persons In- 
habitants of Springfield, that shall kill any of the Particular Ci-caturcs Hereafter 
named, for Each Creature so killed viz. for wood Chucks or Ground Raccoons 
Nine pence, Black birds for old ones 2d young ones Id Each, Crows six pcnco 



L 



200 



Each and after the Rate of 4d a Doz" for all Black Birds Eggs that shall be found 
after this vote » * * and that the Person or Persons shall not be Entitled to any 
Reward for killing any of the Creatures as aforcs'^ or Getting Eggs as afoi'cs'i un- 
less they Produce a Certificate under the hands of some or one of the Persons here- 
after named viz John Stebbins 2d Samuel Teny Jona Chapin Jun"" Benj'^ Hor- 
ton Jun"^ Joseph Ball Samuel Warner 2d, Jedediah Bliss Timothy Nash John 
Ely 2d John Ely 3d Thos. Morgan Ebenezer Cook John Leonard Jun"" & Tho. 
Taylor, of the number of Each Creature kille.d as afores<i and of the number of 
Eggs Produced to them or Either of them, Wood Chucks Ear to be Cut off and 
Crows and Black Birds to have their heads Cutt off and the Eggs to be broken 
and so to be Certified by them or Either of them." 

1742, Dec. 9. " Granted to Daniel Parsons Jun'' 10s Lawfull money for a Bear 
killed by him Las Summer for old Tenor £2." — Records of Springfield. 

There is no record that a " wild cat " was ever killed or seen in the 
" Outward Commons." 



I give below the lettering on the gravestones of Elizabeth Cockrill, tho 
first person buried in town. Samuel Warner, her brother-in-law, at whose 
house she died, " tho' not a stone man ho cot two flat stones and en- 
graved her name, and the time of her death, and that was the first grave. 
Tho' I knew of the stones, yet they were so covered with moss that thiy 
could not be read ; I got the moss swept off and painted, so that now it 
is legible." — Dr. 3Ierrick's Address. 



Headstoxe. 



FOOTSTONE. 



E. C. IS 



the FirST 



THAT IS 



L A I d HE A R 



H e A r Lys the 



Body oF ELisAb 



eth Coc k ril Wo 



Dyed ApriL y^ 26 
1741 E A G 39 



201 



C. p. 32. 

APPROPRIATIONS MADE BT SPRINGFIELD TO FURNISH PREACHING 
TO THE "■ MOUNTAINS." 

I find in the records of Springfield that the following appropriations 
were made for preaching at the "Mountains " : — 

January 3, 1739. "Granted to y^ People of y^ mountains for y'' procuring 
preaching 10 Sabliaths Twenty shillings pr Sabbath provided they do not exceed 
Teen Sabbaths." 

December 12, 1739 " Granted to the People at the mountains in case they pro- 
cure Preaching this winter Twenty shillings pr. Sabbath not exceeding Twelve 
Sabbaths the money to be paid to David Mirick when Due." 

December 9, 1740. " Granted to the People at y^ Mountains to procure Preach- 
ing there Twenty Shillings pr. Sabbath not exceeding Twelve Sabbaths and to be 
paid David Mirick as it becomes Due." 

For three winters, therefore, our fathers were saved the painful journey, 
in cold and snow, of nine miles, to hear preaching. I have been unable 
to learn who preached for them. If there is any clew to it, the papers of 
" David Mirick " must contain it. 



VOTE OF LONG MEADOW TO PERMIT THE '-EAST PART TO BE SET 
OFF AS A PRECINCT." 

"At a Precinct meeting March 10 : 1740 
Voted that the several persons and families belonging to the Precinct of Long 
meadoes settled on the East part of Spring field Calld the outward Commons : be 
set off a Distinct precinct for the benefit of Gosple ministry and other Priviliges 
belonging to precincts : Whensoever the Honour*! Generall Court of the Province 
of the masachusets Bay shall think fit and proper upon application made to them. 

a true copie attest P^ JONATHAN ELY Precinct Clerk." 

— Records of General Court. 

Vote of the First Precinct of Springfield to permit the " Mountains" 
to be a separate Precinct : — 

"March 21, 1739. Where As the People Caled the Inhabitants of the moun- 
tains on the East Side of the Great River in Springfield have a desire to be set oif 
from the Eldist Precinct in S<1 Town as a distinct Precinct for the ministry The 
Eldist Precinct in S<i Town Doe therefore by a Vote Signifie thcire Willingness that 
sd Inhabitants Should be Set of as a Distinct Precinct for the ministry as soon aa 
the General Court shall think Propper so to Doe." — Records in the Citij Chic's 
Office of Springjield. 



26 



202 

The following is the appointment of " Thomas Miriek 2d and Abel 
]>liss to Prefer a Petition to the General Court to be set off as a 
Precinct " : — 

" We the Subscribers who arc settlers on tlic Lands Called the Outward Commons 
Dwelling Some in the Second and Some in the Third Division of the Said Comons 
In Springfield on the East Side of Connecticutt River do Hereby appoint and Im- 
power Thomas Miriek 2d & Abel Bliss Settlers on the said Place to Prefer a Peti- 
tion to the Next General Court that we with our Lands and theirs together Avith all 
the Lands within Said Divisions being In the whole in length Eight Miles and in 
weadth four Miles May be Set of a Separate and Distinct Precinct and that all the 
Lands Lying in said Divisions may be taxed at Such Rate as the General Court 
shall think Proper the better to Enable them to Settle a Minister Build a Meeting 
House and other Publick charges that so we may be Enabled to INIaintain the Gos- 
])el among us. Witness our Hands May 7th 1740. 

Joseph Sikes, David Mirick, 

Daniel Lamb, David Warrinek, 

Daniel Parsons, David Jones, 

Benjamin Wright, Isaac Breaver, 

Henry Wright, Samuel Warner, 2d, 

Thomas Glover, Aaron Parsons, 

Cornelius Weeb, Nathaniel Hithcock, 

Daniel Warner, Nathaniel Warriner, 

Moses Bartlit, Nathaniel Bliss, 2d, 

Noah Alvord, Benjamin Warriner, 

Samuel Stebbins, Jr., Samuel Bartlit, 

David Chapin, Jr., Moses Burt." 

There are twenty-four of these subscribers. Adding the names of 
" Thomas Mirick 2d and Abel Bliss," signed to the Petition, the whole 
number is twenty- six. It will be seen that these names differ from those 
given in Dr. Merrick's manuscript address, deposited in the town-clerk's 
office The above document was copied from the Records of the General 
Court in the office of the Secretary of State. 

The Petition and the action of the General Court are contained in 
the Address, with the exception of the formal signing of the officers of the 
two branches and the governor. 



D. p. 42. 



MR. MERItlCK'S ORDINATION. 



I regret to say that I have not been able to obtain any information 
respecting the members of the council or the services of the occasion. I 
have written to the churches, then established in Hampden County, but I 



203 

can obtain no aid. There is nothing recorded. I was confident I should 
find something on the subject in the Diary of the Rev. Dr. Stephen Wil- 
liams, of Longmeadow, but I was disappointed. For the supposed facts 
of the difiiculty which arose respecting the number of church members, of 
the oak-tree, the rain, and the barn, I am indebted to Dr. Merrick's 
manuscript address. I have striven to construct an account of the service 
out of these facts which should awaken in the reader a feeling of its 
reality, and which should correspond at least with the truth. 



E. p. 65. 

''OLD TENOR" AND " LAWFULL MONET." 

I have used these terms frequently in the Address, and they need ex- 
planation. In the early settlement of the country most articles of manu- 
facture were imported from the mother country, and were paid for in 
cash, that is, in coin or in produce. The drain was so great that it became 
necessary to issue paper money, promises to pay, like our bank-bills, but 
as there were no banks, it was done by the State. This paper-money was 
not worth so much as coin, just as now it takes a dollar and a half paper 
money to obtain one dollar in coin. The diflference in the value of paper 
and coin increased so rapidly that in 1749 it took nearly ten dollars of 
paper to obtain one of coin. " Lawful currency " was the value of coin ; 
"old tenor" was the value of "paper." Thus, one thousand dollars 
" old tenor " was one hundred dollars in " lawful money." A 7ieiv issue 
of paper was afterwards made, which was called sometimes " New Tenor ; " 
this paper was of the same value as coin, was " Lawful Money." 



SETTLEMENT WITH SPRINGFIELD RESPECTING THE SCHOOL AND 
MINISTRY LANDS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS. 

I have stated on p. 61, that a settlement "was made." There is no 
record of particulars. Several committees were chosen to consider the 
subject ; but there is no final report, which I have found, stating the con- 
ditions of the arrangement, and the subject disappears from the records in 
a fog. 

SCHOOL MONEY GRANTED BY SPRINGFIELD TO THE PRECINCT 
BEFORE IT IFAS INCORPORATED AS A TOWN. Page 64. 
1737, Nov. 21. " Granted to the Inhabitants at the Mountains on the East Side 
of the Great River for supporting Schooling there three pounds and to he paid as 
it becomes due to Nathan^ Warriner." 



204 

1738. £3 " to be paid to David Mirick as it becomes due." 

1739. £4 "at ye mountain Parish to be p^ Nath" Warriner." 

1740. £6 "to be paid as it becomes Due to Nath" Warriner and the School to 
be Kept where and when the Selectmen Shall Direct." 

1741. £8 "to be paid as it becomes due to David Mirick 3*1 the school to be 
under the Regulation of y^ Selectmen." 

1742. £ 10 " to be paid as Due to Isaac Brewer." 

1743. £ 10 " to be Kept as the Selectmen Shall order and the Money to be paid 
as they Shall Direct." 

1744. £ 12 " to be paid as it becomes Due to Nathaniel Warriner & y" School to 
be under y^ Direction of the Selectmen." 

1745. £12 " to be paid as it becomes Due to Nathaniel Warriner." 

1746. £ 12 " to be paid as it becomes Due to be under the Regulation of y^ Se- 
lectmen." 

1747. £ 14 " to be under the Regulation of the Selectmen and they to order the 
payment thereof as it becomes Due to whom they shall think fit." 

1748. £21 " to be disbursed as above (1747)." 

1749. £35 " to be disbursed as above (1747)." 

1750. £4 13s. 4d. "LawfuU Money" School "to be kept at Place or Places 
as Selectmen order." Rest as before. 

1751. £4 13s. 4d., as in 1750. 

1752. £4 13s. 4d., as in 1750. 

1752. Nov. 8, " Voted that Mr Jacob White Mr Nath" Burt & L*" Samuel Mi- 
rick be a Com'^e to Examine the Circumstances of the Inhabitants of the INIountain 
Parish with Respect to the Towns Granting them a sum of money towards De- 
fraying the Charge of building the School House already built in said Parish & 
make Report at this meeting." 

1753. £4 13s. 4d., as above to be distributed. 

1754. £4 13s. 4d., as above to be distributed. 

1754. Nov. 4. A committee was chosen "to view and Consider the more proper 
Place or Places for school Houses to be built in the Mountain Parish & what sum is 
Proper to allow said Inhabitants for the School House already built there " consist- 
ing of Mr Simon Cotton Mr. Roljert Harris & Mr Luke Hitchcock 2"^ " and s'^ 
Com«- " "are directed to make report as soon as may be." 

1754. Nov. 25, There is " Granted the Sum of £6 To be paid to Ens" James 
Warriner For and Towards the Charge of Building the school House lately built 
at the Mountain Parish so Called and to be by him repaid to the Several persons 
who were at the Expense of building the Same in Equal Proportion according to 
what they Severally advanc<i for that purpose they certifying to him what each man 
advanc"! and what they are severally to Receive out of the said Sum therefor." 

1755. Nov. 4, A committee chosen at a Previous meeting Report that the School 
money shall be divided for the English Schools (not including the grammar school 
at Sp'' street) as the town directed, regard being had to the "Estates and the number 
of schollars from the age of 4 years to 11 " and they gave "the 4th Parish £6, 
16, 7, 1." to the "3<i Parish £6, 12, 7." 

1756. £45, 7, 4, 3, whole amount raised. 

1757. £45, 7, 4, 3, whole amount raised. 

1758. £45, 8, whole amout raised. 



205 

1759. £ 60, whole amount raised. 

1760. £ 9l). — " Voted that a quarter part of said sum be propoition<i according 
to the number of schollars in the several Districts of the Town from the age of 
four Years to Twelve, and the Remainder on the Polls and Estates." 

1761. £ 90, as last year. 

1 762. £ 90, as last year. 



F. p. 66. 

ROADS. 

The first record of a road laid by the town of Springfield, in the terri- 
tory of Wilbraham, is made in March, 1744. A change is made in the 
"West Road " from Stephen Stebbins's, south, over the Scantic ; also, 
from Stebbins's, east, to Brinfield line (Monson was included in Brinfield 
then), about as it now runs; also, from Brinfield line on the overplus 
land, in the second division, to the middle road; " Provided the Same or 
Either of them or any Part of them do not Prove Chargeable to the 
town." — Records of Springjield. 

County roads had been laid before this time, or the proprietors had 
marked paths which were to be opened as roads in due time. 



BRIDGES. 



1738. March 14, " Voted that a Cart Bridge be built at twelve Mile 
Brook in the' Country Rhoad at the Charge of the Town, and Dan'l Par- 
sons Obadiah Coolcy and John Hitchcock Jun'' Chosen a Com*^^ to build 
the Same at the Cheapest Rate they Can." 

1738. April 14, reconsidered. 

1741. Nov. 23"^ " Voated that a Good Cart Bridge be Erected and 
Built across the Brook called Twelve mile Brook in the Countrey Road 
with Good Large Hewed Timber at the Charge of The Town. And that 
Abel Bliss David Mirick and Daniel Warner be a Committee to do the 
same and that the same be Do7ie as soon as may 5e." Good reason, for 
there was now a " Presentment of the Grand Jury against the Town for 
want of a Bridge " at the Brook. — Records of Springfield. 



206 



G-. p 67. 

ELEGY ON THE YOUNG MAN BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE. 

" On Springfield mountains there did dwell 
A likely youth who was knownc full well 
Lieutenant Mirick onley sone 
A likely youth nigh twenty one 

" One friday morning he did go 
in to the medow and did moe 
A round or two then he did feal 
A pisin sarpent at his heal 

" When he received his dedly wond 
he dropt his sithe a pon the ground 
And strate for home wase his intent 
Caling aloude stil as he went 

" tho all around his voys wase hered 
but none of his friends to him apiere 
they thot it wase some workmen calld 
and there poor Timothy alone must fall 

" So soon his Carful father went 
to seak his s.on Avith discontent 
and there lies fond onley son he found 
ded as a stone a pon the ground 

" And there he lay down sopose to rest 
\vith both his hands Acrost his brest 
his mouth and eyes Closed fast 
And there poor man he slept his last 

" his father vieude his track with great consarn 
Where he had ran across the corn 
uneven tracks where he did go 
did apear to stagger to and frow 

" The seventh of August sixty one 
this fatal axsident was done 
Let this a warning be to all 
to be Prepared when God does call." 

I hardly overstated the variety of claimants, or rather authors, to 
whom this Elegy (?) is attributed, — to Daniel or Jesse Carpenter, to a 
young lady to whom young Merrick was engaged, and to Nathan Torrey. 
The latter has the honor of authorship, if any reliance can be placed upon 
the most direct and authentic tradition on the subject. The original has 
been tampered with by editors. I have done my best to approach the 
author's copy. 



207 



H. p. 68. 

SOLDIERS IN THE FRENCH WAIi, 1755-17G0. 

I regret that I cannot give a fuller and more reliable list of the 
soldiers from the Fourth Precinct of Springfield, who went to the French 
war. In the first place, all the soldiers are entered in the rolls as from 
Springfield, and, as the names of the inhabitants of the other precincts are 
similar to, sometimes the same as, those in the fourth, it is impossible to 
tell whether a soldier is from our citizens, unless the name of every inhab- 
itant is known. I have no list except that given at the seating of the 
meeting-house, in 1760. That I have used and have entered no person 
whose name is not there found, or is incidentally named in the records. 
It is probable that nearly every person had a seat in the house. Then, 
in the second place, though the " Register Rolls " are most admirably ar- 
ranged in the ofiice of the Secretary of State, and the clerks show every 
attention, it is necessary to know the name of the Colonel of the Regiment, 
or the Captain of the Company at least, to find the name of the private 
for which search is made. I have thoroughly examined the rolls, and give 
the result at which I arrived. 

I have selected, from " A List of 151 men Voluntarily Inhsted into his 
Majesty's Service [1755] for reinforcing the Army for Crown Point out of 
y'' Southern Regiment in the County of Hampshire," for three months, 
" Benj. Day Capt. Martin Drury V. Tho'. Morgan En'." the following 
names of Wilbraham men : John Langdon,, Timothy Wright, Philip 
Lyon. In another company, commanded by Capt. Elisha Noble, I find 
the name of William King Jr. 

In a company of which Luke Hitchcock was Captain, Nathan [on the 
roll, but Nathaniel in history] Burt, Lieutenant, I find Daniel Cadwcll, 
Sergeant, Paul Langdon, Sergeant, Isaac Colton, Corporal, Aaron Bliss, 
Corporal, Aaron Alvord, Benjamin Warriner, Samuel Warner, Benjamin 
Wright, Aaron Warriner, Stephen Bliss, Jesse Warner, Aaron Parsons. 
They were out " eight months," from April 3, 1755, to January 3, 1756. 
They were in the battle near the southern extremity of Lake George, witli 
Baron Dieskau. Lieutenant Burt was killed. 

1759. On the " Billeting roll " of the Company of Capt. John Ban- 
croft, in the Regiment of Col. Timothy Buggies, I find the names of Be- 
noni Atchinson, Moses Bartlet, Thomas Dunham, Paul Hitchcock, Samuel 
Warner Sr., Samuel Warner Jr., Moses Warriner. 

I have found the name of several negroes in these rolls, who went out 
as soldiers. 



208 



EXTRACTS FROM SAMUEL WARNER'S JOURNAL, KEPT OX THE EXPE- 
DITION TO CROWN POINT, 1750. 

This is the so-called " Clark " Warner. He was in Capt. John Bancroft's 
Company, and Col. Timothy Ruggles's Regiment. Some of the first 
leaves of the Journal are lost, and 1 will commence my extracts with the 
brief abstract which he gives of the trip from Albany to Fort Edward. 

I now give an acoumpt of our March from Albana to fort Edwaixl. Wc loodcil 
19 Barrils of flower and poi-k in a batoo and Carrid tliem within three miles of 
Stillwarter and there on Looded in the hull of our Regiment there was about llOi) 
Barrils and then we went to Stillwarters and Looded 25 Barrils in Each Battoo 
which made about 1400 and Carrid them up to about a mile above Sototoga and 
onloded the Same and then went about one mile and then Looded 22 Barrils whicli 
made 1300 and Carrid them to the fott of the falls at fort miller onloded them 
there the Batoos was caried about half a mile and the provision and then Loodcil 
againe 20 Barils 1150 and Carrid them to fort Edward this is a trcw acount avarey 
hard voige we had. 

This day [June] 7th there was Reain Came Before Day and so Held 24 ours 
varey hard a grat part of the Day and varey Cold Raw weather 

frey Day 8th Daj' this Day varey Clowday Raw and Cold in the morning and 
afterwards more moderate and Sun Shine Vai-ey Cold att Night and just in the 
morning AVe had a varey grate Larrom by the polesy of the jcneral amhers[t] or- 
dered a party of men att the falls to fier there guns att a marke varey Brisk on 
purpos to See what Readynes the armey would Be in' the armey was all Drawd u]) 
in arms. 

Saterday 9th this Day varey Clear and pleasant yesterday and to Day Diging 
up old Stobs and Rots two feet or three feet over and we moved our tents 40 
Rods. 

Sabday 10th this Day 6 o clock the hilanders fierd one Round Distinct one after 
a nither and a fare plesant Day afterwards our solders went to Battooing onley 
saveing the quarter guard and a few that was not well. 
Munday the 11th * * * one man whipt 400 strips. 

Wensday 13th * » * there was 240 men Draughted out of our Rijement to 
Keep the fort Edward viz : 19 out of our Company. 

Thosday 14th * * This morning there was two Rodcisland men whipt for De- 
sart one of them 500 the other 999 this day is the first prayer we heard at Night 
This day the Rev' Mr forbosh Came into the Camp. 

[Then follows here a page containing entries of letters received and sent. There 
are six " leaters to my girls " in two months, and eleven to other persons. " Sam- 
ul," his son, " reseaved a letter from his sister Lois," and three others are " re- 
seaved " from other persons.] 

Saturday 16th this Day there was one of the Coneeticots Brought to place of 
Execution in order to Be shot to Death for Desartion & after giving warning to 
others and then makeing of a prayer he was placst upon his Knees & his cap over 
his face Reseved a pardon yesterday and to day we Looded about 300 Batoos and 
they was carrid to halfway Boock and 100 teems. 

Sabday 17th there was about a 100 Batoos Carrid from Hear and about 200 oth- 
er wagins with stores & about 200 ox teams went from here with stores and the 



209 

Like making in y« hul 500 * * * * this Day there was a sermon preacht in j" af- 
ternoon By the R' Mr ferbush text in 15 of Exodus 3 vers the Lord is a man of 
war the Lord is his Name this was the tirst sermon that was preacht amongst us. 
the first Batalhm about 200 or three hundred guns [fired] att a mark after sermon 
there was 3 Rodeisland men whipt for being absent from Role Calling. 

Monday 1 8th * * * this morning I was put under gard. 

Tusday 19th * * * a Cort Marshil upon a young man and Rise & myself to-day 
for Nothin worth a menshing the young man Becas his gun went of upon iialf Bent 
and myself Becase I did not goo So quick and Call my sun when Sergent Daniel Miller 
Bid me goo I Being upon other Duty the same time yet I went Notwithstanding 
But I had my Dismisshon without any thing more said to me 

Wensday 20th this Day * * the 2d Recrutes came in from the province of Btis- 
ton. 

Thursday 21st this Day we marcht from fort Edward with about ten Reigemcnts 
we stmck our tents about brake of Day slong our packs about Sun Rise and stood 
with y"" on a full oner then mai'cht forward Nor onlooded Nor Rested till we 
got within five miles of Lake gorge there Rested about one oner and half varey hot 
men allmost Beet out By going without vittuals in the morning about 500 teems 
and wagins the oificers had no jjacks the general and other big officers had horsis 
and Servens they did not Consider the poor solders Had they Had any Compas- 
shoon upon poore Solders they wood not a dun as they Did one man Dyed By 
Reson of Such Hai-d traveling and Drinking of warter this was a Conectucut man 
and two or three more it was said they ware a D3ang the armey was marcht of in 
the morning on a sudden sinA had not time to git any Refreshment to Carey with 
them But God in His providence has s])ared men's Lives & Camd threw bather to 
ive shall not Dei/ Before our time 

Freyday 22'^ this Day in the morning fare and plesent grate Dele of gairaing 
and and Feeterge [performing of feats] tho a grate Complaint among the 

solders By Reason of there hardships the Day Before 

Sabday 17th there was a flagg of truse Came in to halfway Bruck to see wheth- 
er we had any prreasners to Exchang 

Saterday 23d * * Varey Hot * thunder * no Rain. A Cort Marshil to Day 
upon a soldir for as tis soposed for Steeling of a Hatchit he is judged to Be 
whipt 50 Lashis which he Had — a grate Number of wagins came in to Day 150 or 
200 

Tuesday 26. * * this Day order Came out in general that No solder should 
Drink any warter without it Being Boild Except he had ginger in it. 
■ Wensday 27 * * Benoney atchinson and Isaac Wliittemore Come here to 
Day. 

Thosday 28 * * * this Day I Entered into Bisnes of a Mason two Regemcnts 
fiered plattwoons. 

Saterday 30th * « * Coll. Whitens [Whiting's] Regiment marcht from here to 
Day tis said they are gon to Mohawke River in for german flats the wagins 

and teems Came in every Day about 300 a day 

Sabday July 1st * * orders Came out that every one of us shook! fix a wooden 
flint in his gun two Capt Came in this Day from the french 

Munday 2d * * about ten oclock in the morning a partey of about 60 of the 
inemy fell on a party of the gerseyBlew and Kild 8 andscalpt them upon the Spot 

27 



210 

and wounded 3 more this was in full view of our armey a more protickular a compt 
there was 18 of the garsey blew went to git Bare one the North of our Camps and 
thare was it was soposed about three or five score of the inemy got Between our 
men and the gard and which Kild and wounded and tuck all But 

one they were followed By Rogers about ten miles and then they tuck to there 
Batoos the acount was there was 11 batoos and 20 od in each as they thought by 
the No 

Teusday 3d * * Thei-e was four Brase 18 pounders or 22 Bi-oughtin to Day 
Sum small pesses the 2d Recruts from Boston and harford Came in to Day — Capt 
Jacob with 30 men went out to day to find the inemy if could find any 24 more 
was dug up out of one hole whare we did Build the fort four Iron guns 22 pound- 
ers Came in and afterwards two more Erase guns in the Hole making 10 22 or 24 
pounders and 12 twelve pounders 

Wensday 4th * * 24 more Dug up in one hole two french Desarters came in to 
Day 

Thusday 5th. * * * alarum att Night By y" Eeson of an indians fiering on one 
of the senterey and he Iliturncd a Shoot again and woonded him By the Sine of 
Blood thare is a fort a Reacted the North end of Element Hill 

Saturday 7th I went about the Element Hill on the North End of it there is a 
fort of 14 squares or turns in it made with wood and stoane and a Horspottal of 
Stoane the Length about 8 Roods the wedth about Eighteen feet from out side to 
out side the thickness of the Wale two feet and i the hith about five feet. 

Sabday 8th * * three men Belonging to Co'^ Whiteens Ri'"' Dyed in one Hors- 
piteetel tliis Day was a Varey grate Day of Blooing of Rocks. 

Munday 9 th. * * We have the News of gen^ Woolfs takeing of some strong 
place up Canaday River this Day there came in a party of the Indions under the 
command of Capt Jacob that went Down the Lake sum Days ago tis said the 
Indias fel on him & wounded y^ Cap' and another of his men. I tuck more ob- 
servation of Buldings an in sted of one Hospotitcl there is three more all in a few 
Roods of one a nither one stoon two wood Houseu 

Tuesday 10th * * one man Cap' of the waginers was convicted of Steeling- the 
Kings tools was Judged by a Cort Marshil to be whipt 36 Lashis att the bed of 
Every Regiment which he had * * * 

Thursday 12. this Day By Bi-ake of Day there was about 600 men set out to 
goo Down the Lake about 8 o clock in the morning they came to a party of french 
and Indins Jes upon, the first Narrows and a small ingagement it seemed to bee 
by what we coold see the gi-ate guns played they drove the Indions of — this day 
their was five Barrils of Rum and two of goine stove in a few Rods where I was 
at work for selling contrary to order 

Fryday 13. this day we was Draughted out which is the 3d time I have Bon 
pitcht upon for this work of mason — at noon a man shot to Death for Deser- 
tion 

Saterday 14 at Night our first Batallun and L3Tnans Reg' and some others came 
to Jine the armey. 

Wensday 1 8th Wi"' Hancock and Abner parsons Came up to day 

Thusday 19th one man whipt for strikeing an ofiicer at the head of every Rige- 
ment a post came in to day Being an account of a small fort was beset by the 
Inemy our men took and kild a great Number of y™ 
Freyday 20th one man shot to Death for steeling 



211 

Saterday 21st this day the armey marcht for ticonderoga they struck there tents 
about three o'elok in the morning and about sun rise the Bigest part of the 
armey got to the warter side they Borded tliree Batoos about Sun an ouer and 
half high and set of about twelve o clock they ware out of sight and they Cep a 
going of all the Day afterwards 10-20-30 Batoos to a time till sun one ouer and i 
high att night then the Sloop set sail and att Sun Down she was about 15 miles of 
tis soposed to be 12000 men 15 morters 12. 12 pounders 6. 24 pounders of Erase 3 
18 pounders of Iron & a grate number of swivels this Day there is a grate moraing 
among the Wiming as if they had Lost there Husborns * * 

Sabday 22'1 there is 400 Men Came in to Day 100 of them gone Down the 
Lake or 200 there is 62 masons left behind there is 150 or 200 in the hospititel 

Wensday 25th this morning about Day the grate Boot came in * * and Brought 
the News that we our armey ware well intrencht where the french had tliercs Last 
year and played there cannon upon them and also we had taken 2 Indins and 
Kild 2 and taken 4 french and Kild two with the Lose of one man 

Hampshire Regiment is come to the Lake in order to goo to Oswagb News came 
in that Mag"" Rogers had a grate fite Between tyconderoga and Crown point, a 
Large guneylow or two mast Boot went of with about 90 or a 100 horsis to tycon- 
deroga 

Freyday 27th I heard a man say that was there that a minester Kep Count of 
the Fi-eneh Cannon that was fired Wensday night the No is 150 and our men had 
not fiered any then worth menchurning 

Saturday 28th in the morning Co'' fitch Came in with his Rigement * * our 
interpreter said that *" * * there was but 200 men in the fort and 300 in crown 
point fort and said our men might take it without fiering a gun and said that 
Rogers had Kild and sunk 500 of there men in Shamplain Lake. * « * ye french 
fiered sura hundreds of Cannon and Burns the Day arid Night Before they left 
the fort they fiered the magascen & and blew up what they coold the Night before 
Last * * * this day two Bond ficrs made one the a count of tyconderogas Being 
taken. 

Thusday [August] 2d this day 12 o cloock news came that crown point was 
Blown up By the french the truth I will waight for Esq "Woodbridge says it is 
trew without fail and the french are a fortifying about ten or 15 miles Beyond 

Saterday 4th I had the news that our Battallun marcht to crown point this 
day 

Sabday 5th a tumult among the setlers y^ officer tuck thwe Rum and Brandey 
from them 

Teusday 7th By the Reson of the Heat the Injineare and two or three more 
ware Carid from thare work to thare tents and I ware varey much put to it to 
keep upon my Lecgs 

Saterday 11th There was an Express come here & went over the Lake and he 
said he had the news of an oiScer he saw a Leater opened & which gave an a 
count that gen' Woulf had got well intrincht clost By Queback without the Loss 
of any men as to the truth I will Leave att present 

Tusday 16th No news onley the a count of a former storey of a man shot down 
a Reaven and she spake. 

Saterday 18th heard of Janer" Jonsons sending in 627 Captives to albana 
and he Distroayed 500 more 



212 

Sabday 19th Le* Howard told me that he had Bin to crown point and he was 
informed there that there ware orders for 115000 sticks of timber 30 feet long and 
15 inches thick s'^ timber to Be Brought as fast as Can Be got hewed one three 
Sides and that they ware Blooing up Rocks 7 feet deep 

Munday 3d [September] Rain the bigest part of the day and y"^ co" said Dam 
it you shall work so we Did 

Freyday 7th an express came in to Day about Jan^ Woolfs being Defeated and 
Drove back one leter I sent to Daniel Warner and one to Sister Lois moved into 
my new tent. 

Saterday 15tli about one o clock had orders to march to crown point and about 
dark I sot of for the same with 30 men 

Sabday 16th morning we landed att tyconde Roga Before Sun Rise and then 
marclit Right of to crown point and got there Sun two ours high 

Tuesday 18th began to work att crown point. 

Freyday 21st begun the stone Barrack 

Wensday 26 I was sick and could not work 

[October] "Wensday 10th L' Hutchins Came here Last Night and gave an ac- 
count of genirel Woolfs destroying of Quebeck 

Thusday 11th one Coullee a captive gave an a Count of Mr. Williams sister 
in Canada and one Sargent Couen was taken when Hitchcock was killed. 5500 
men set off from here for St. Johns. 

Saterday 13th one Drove of fat oxen Came in from No fore — this night news 
came in from the armey that in a fogg a good part of our armey got By two frcnch 
Sloops Before proseved them amediately our armey Landed one Boath sids Before 
an reft of the french But 19th of y*^ Lite Enfimty went to the french Soposein 
they ware our own sloojis and ware taken S'' french are Blockt up Near Orter 
Crick. 

Teusday 16 I have a Reumer of an express that is gone to our genirel y' moon 
calm and gel' woolf is Kild and there armies most all Destroyed one Boath sides 
By a fare field fight But we got the victory But as to the truth I leave at present 
32000 french 16000 of ours 

Wensday 17 th News came By an express from our gen" woolfs armey that they 
Drove into the french trench at by that means got the victory with the loss of y'' 
gener" and 400 men & Kild raont Calm & 1600 men 

Thosda}^ 18. News that the Armey two french Sloop and sunk the other and 
the Brigg got Cleere this day 

Freyday 19th I heard of the Death of William Harris he Dyed Last Tuesday 
16th of this month — Last night there came in an Indin Captive and gave a Count 
of Capt Canada Being Kild and his men after taken and Capt Jacob & others 
Capt Jacobs is in gail 

Sabday 21st there came in 2000 Regulars, which is part of the armey. 

Freyday 26th there went about two huncked men to make the Rode goo to No 
four 

Munday 29tli Aaron prest Dyed 

Wensday 31. Varey cold the ground frose and Ise half an Inch thick in the 
morning to day our Drum (?) bill Brocks Dj-ed 

Thosday 1st [November.] Last Night a Number of men under gard for tempt- 



213 

ing to goo hum and to Day a Member of the garsey Blews under gard but Dis- 
mist to Day 

Teusday 6th the Solders Came from fort Edward here to Day 

Wensday 17 News Came in to Day that Kogers had Distroyed St. francy way 
without the Loss of any man But 12 wounded 

Sabday 25th [17 Days lost of the Journal] ground frose hard We marched to 
Davises fort and cainpt thei-e. 

Munday 26th cold and Snow and hold to while Noon then Eain We marched 
to Northfield and Lay there Capt putman of Rode Island Dyed att 

Teusday 27th Cold Rainy Day I marcht from Northfield to Sunderland I 
logged at Carsons Warner's 

Wensday 28th This Day fare and plesant morning — and south winds varey 
raw after wards I went from Sunderland to my one hous this day. 



I. p. 69. 

VOTE OF THE TOWX OF SPRINGFIELD FORBIDDING TRESPASS ON 
THE OUTWARD COMMONS. 

April 4. Voted that Mr. Thos. Colton, William Pynchon Jr. Esq. and Docf 
John Leonard be a Committee Agents or Attorneys for and in Behalf of this town. 
To Prosecute Sue for and Recover of all or any Person or pei'sons that heretofore 
have or that Shall Cut Kill Destroy or Cary away of from the Lands Called the 
outwai'd Commons for said Springfield, not having Right so to do, any grass or 
any wood Timber or trees Brush or undenvood and pine or Candlewood Standing, 
Lying being or growing on the same, as also to Prosecute all such who have or 
shall Digg up or Cany away any Stone Lying or being or Grojving on the Said 
Commons without License so to do and to Take all LawfuU measures in the affair 
as they Shall find Convenient for obtaining the Damage Happening by any such 
Trespassers To s'^ Town. 



J. p. 77. 

MEASURES TAKEN TO OBTAIN INCORPORATION AS A TOWN. 
PETITION TO THE TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD, 1762, FOR INCORPORATION AS A 

TOWN OR DISTRICT, page 73. 

"To the Select men of the Town of Springfield Gen' these Pray you to Insert 
in your warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March Next Ensuing the follow- 
ing Article viz. to see if the Town will vote off the East or the fourth precinct in 
s"! Town as a Destinct Town or Destrict with those additions and alterations they 
shall think fit and pass all proper votes Relating thereunto — and you will oblige 
your humble petitioners. 

Springfield Jan. 29 : 1762. 

STEPH STEBBINS 1 

WM KING I Com" 

JOHN BLISS \ for S*^ 

DANIEL CADWELL | precinct 

JAMES WARRINER JUNER 



214 

The article was inserted. At meeting, Marcli 23, 1762, " the question 
was put whether the prayer thereof should be granted and it pass'd in y" 
Negative; " and the meeting adjourned to March 30th, when the question 
carae up again, and it was, — 

" Voted that the Vote pass^ at the Meeting the 23<i Instant on y^ Petition of the 
Inhabitants of y^ 4th Parish Praying to be Voted a separate Town or District be 
Reconsidered." 

The Clerk continues his record as follows : — 

"Att this this Meeting the Petition of Daniel Cadwell & others Coni«e of ye 4th 
Parish in S^ Town Dated March 23d 1762 was Read & Considered the Second 
time and the .Questin was put whether the prayer thereof Sh'^ be Granted and it 
Passd in the Negative, But on further Consideration thereof had Voted to Recon- 
sider S"^ vote, and voted that L' Robert Harris Capt Simon Cotton & Lt Thomas 
Mirick be a Committee to Consider of S"! Petition and Report to the Town an 
soon as may be what they think proper to be done in y« aiFair." 

Meantime the mountaineers are awake, and another Petition is sent to 
Springfield as follows : — 

" To the Select men of the Town of Springfield Gen'men these Pray you to 
Insert in your warrant for the Town meeting in May Next the following article 
viz. to see if the Town will vote off the fourth precinct in S"^ Town as a Sepa- 
rate town or Destrict with those alterations and additions they think fit and pass 
all proper votes thereon and you will oblige yours. 

Springfield, April 29 : 1762 



WM KING 
DANIEL CADWELL 
STBPH STEBBINS 
JAMES WARRINER JUNER 



Comtt^e 
for SI 
precinct 



The Town of Springfield met May 25, 1762, "and the Question was 
put whether the Town w*^ Consent that the East or 4th Parish in s"^ Town 
Sh*^ be a separate District and it passd in the Negative." The " Ques- 
tion " came up again, Nov. 15, 1762, " whether the east or fourth Parish 
in Said town Should be a separate District and it passes in the Negative" 
when put. 

The men of the " 4th Precinct " understand the power of persistent 
prayer, and they again appeal to the town, May 17th, 1763, — 

"Att this Meeting the Petition of Nath" Warriner & others Committee of the 
4th Parish in S*! Town Presented their Petition Desiring to be a Separate To-mi 
or District which was Read & Considered & voted that the Prayer thereof be 
Granted." [Records of Springfield.] 



215 



I have not been able, after the most diligent search, and the generous 
assistance of the clerks in the State Department, to find the petition of 
the citizens of the fourth precinct, to the General Court for an act of in. 
corporation, as a tonvn. 



ACT OF INCORPORATION. 

ANNO RECNI ^ ^\ REGIS 

// HERE IS THE \\ 
CEORCII TERTII U COLONY SEAL. \\ T E R T I O . 

[In the third year of the reigu of George the Third.] 

An Act for incorporating the South Parish of Springfield, in the County of Hampshire 
into a separate Town by the name of Wilbraham. 

Whereas the Inabitants of the Fourth Parish in said Springfield have represented 
to this Court that they labour under great Inconveniences and Difficulties in attend- 
ing on the Publick Affairs of the said Town, by reason of their great distance 
from the usual Place where they are transacted etc : and that they are increased to 
such numbers that it may be fitting that they should be incorporated into a separate 
Town, and have accordingly petitioned this Court therefor — 

Be it therefore enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representatives, That 
the said fourth Parish in said Springfield with the addition of half a milei West 
from the AVest line of Said Parish from Chicobee River on the North, to the 
northerly Line of the Township of Somers on the South be erected into a separate 
Town by the name of Wilbraham- and that the inhabitants of said Town be invest- 

1 Dr. Merrick says, " When this parish was incorporated the hinds lying west were unlo- 
cated. In locating these, Springfield agreed that we should have our share adjoining to us, 
and accordingly set the half mile to the Inhabitants of this then parish, so that when the 
town was incorporated all this half mile belonged to us. Beyond this half mile the lands 
were principally owned by Springfield." — MS. Address. 

2 The town appeifi-s to have received its name either from an English Baronet of the name 
of Wilbraham or from the Parish called Wilbraham, situated near Cambridge in England. 

The ancestor of the Baronet Wilbraham was Sir Richard De Wilburgham of Woodbey, 
Southampton County. His descendant in the sixth generation was Sir Richard Wilbra- 
ham, born 1579, and knighted by James I. He was created Baronet March 5, 1G21. Sir 
Richard's son, Thomas, succeeded him, and distinguished himself in the royal cause during 
the great rebellion in opposition to Cromwell and the Puritans. Sir Thomas Wilbraham 
died October 31, 1660. His son. Sir Thomas, succeeded him in the Baronetcy and died Au- 
gust, 1692. As he had no sons the Baronetcy expired at his death. A descendant of his, 
the Hon. O. B. Morris tells me, is the present Lord Skelmersdale. 

If the people of Wilbraham supposed their town was named for this bitter royalist 
and anti-Puritan it will account for the dissatisfaction which Dr. Jlerrick says was felt 
respecting the name. But there is another way of accounting for the name. 

Wilburgham, or Wilbraham, as the modern spelling is, is a parish or town in the hun- 
dred of Staine, county of Cambridge, seven miles from Cambridge, northeasterly. There 
are two vUlages, " WUbraham Great," and " Wilbraham Little." " Great " had a popula- 



216 

eel with all the Powers and Priviledges that Towns in this Province enjoy by Law, 
that of sending a Representative to this Court only excepted. And that the said 
Town shall have full Right and Liberty from Time to Time to join with said Town 
of Springfield in the choice of Representatives, to represent them at the General 
Assembly, And that the said Town of Wilbraham shall froift Time to Time be at 
their Proportionable Part of the Expense of such Representatives, and the Free- 
holders and other Inhabitants of Wilbraham shall be notified of the Time and 
Place of Election, in like manner as the Inhabitants of said Springfield, by a war- 
rant from the Selectmen of said Springfield, directed to the Constable of said 
Wilbraham, directing him to warn the Inhabitants of said Wilbraham to attend 
the said meeting at the Time and Place therein assigned and that the Pay of 
said Representatives be borne by said Towns of Springfield and Wilbraham in the 
same Proportion from Time to Time as they pay to the Province Tax.i 

And in order etfectuall}' to Prevent all future Dispute that might otherwise arise 
between the said Towns of Springfield and Willn-aham respecting their joint In- 
terests or joint Duties ; 

Be it Enacted, That the said Town of Wilbraham shall enjoy the two Ministry 
and School Lots in said Town, in full Satisfaction of their Share in the Ministry 
and School Lands in said Town of Springfield, and of the Money and Debts due 
to said Town : That they pay their due Proportion of the Town Debts already 
contracted, and have their due Proportion of the Town Stock of Ammunition : 
That they pay to the Support of the present Poor of said Town of Springfield 
(now supported at the Town Charge) Eleven Pounds in One Hundred so long as 
they shall Continue a Charge to said Town ; and that this Act shall not be con- 
strued to hinder or prevent any Persons, Inhabitants of said Springfield from 
Cutting Timber or Taking Herbage or Stone on any of the Lands in said Wilbra- 
ham so long as they remain unfenced, any more than if this Act had not been 
made. 

And be it farther Enacted, That John Worthington, Esq. be and hereby is em- 
powered and directed to issue his Warrant directed to some principal Inhabitant of 
said Wilbraham requiring him to warn the Inhabitants of said Town qualified to 



tion of 354 ia 1801, and " Little," of 183. The tax of " Great " was £223 10s. 8d. ; that of 
" Little," £140 2s. .3d. Kowland Stebbins, the ancestor of the Stebbinses, and William 
rynchon, the ancestor of the Pynchons, and the original proprietor of Springfield, originated 
in the near neighborhood of these Wilbrahams, and came from near tli«m to this country. 
It is very probable that througli their influence, or rather that of their descendants, the 
name Wilbraham may have been selected for this town. Pynchon and Stubbing were 
friends in England and continued so here. This is to me the most plausible account of the 
origin of the name. 

1 " At a date prior to 1753 the Governor of Massachusetts was instructed by the home 
government to consent to no act for establishing a new town in the province, unless by a 
special clause it should place a restraint upon the power of sending representatives. New 
towns were therefore incorporated as " districts," possessing all the powers of towns, ex- 
cept that of sending representatives to the General Court. They voted for these with other 
towns named in their act of incorporation. The jealousy of the Crown of the increasing 
power and influence of the towns is clearly evinced by this measure. Several towns in 
Western Massachusetts were incorporated in this manner. In 1786, after the Revolution, 
it was enacted that all towns which had been incorporated as districts, or not having the 
privilege of sending representatives, should have it thereafter." — Holland's History of 
Weston, Mass., vol. i. p. 202. 



217 



vote in Town affairs to assemble at some suital)le Time and Place in said Town, to 
choose such OiBcers as may be necessary to manage the affairs of said Town, 
which at such meeting they are hereby empowered to choose. 

Provided, nevertheless, the Inhabitants of said Wilbraham shall pay their propor- 
tional Part of all such Province and County Taxes as are already set iipon them 
by the said Town of Springfield in like manner as tho' this Act had not been 
made. 

And be it farther Enacted, That of the sum set on the Town of Springfield as 
their Pi-oportion with other Towns in a Tax of one Thousand Pounds, for the 
future of the said Town of Springfield, shall retain the sum of Eleven Pounds two 
Shillings and ten Pence two Farthings ; and that there be set on the said Town of 
Wilbraham the sum of one Pound thirteen Shillings and six Pence as their Rate 
or Proportion for their Payment of publick Taxes. 
June 14'>* 1763 — This Bill having been read three several Times in the House of 

Representatives Passed to be enacted. 

TIMo RUGGLES Spkr 

June 14* 1763 — This Bill havin<r been read three several Times in Council 



Passd to be Enacted. 



A. OLIVER Secy 



June 15"> 1763 — By the Governor 

I consent to the enacting of this Bill. 



FRA BERNARD 



BIRTHS AND DEATHS WHICH TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE INCORPORA- 
TION OF THE TOWN, AS RECORDED BY SAMUEL WARNER. 

I omit the name of the mother, the surname of the child, and some 
other words which he uses, in order to abbreviate the record. It seems 
important that the names should be saved from perishing with the leaves 
of this frail manuscript of Warner's. A few births are supposed to have 
taken place in Longmeadow and Springfield which Warner has not en- 
tered. In case of sickness, persons sometimes went to their friends in 
those towns. 

Danl. Parsons, b. Feb. 27, 

David Jones, July 14, 1737. 
Saml. Warner, Aug. 10, " 
Cornelius Webb, Mar. 8, 

Noah Alvord, July 22, 173S. 
Abel Bliss, Oct. 5, " 
Danl. Warner, Oct. 15, •' 
Samuel Stebbins, Jan. 8, 

Daniel Farsons, Feb. 24, 

Danl. Lamb, Apr. 3, 1T.39. 
Beiij. Warriner, Apr. 3, '* 
David Mirick, May 22, •' 
Thos. Mirick, May 24, " 
Aron Parsons, May 30, " 



Conifer, dr. of 
Aaron, son of 
Eunis, dr. of 
Marcy, dr. of 

1735. 
Hannah, dr. of 
Mary, dr. of 
Marcy, dr. of 
Daniel, son of 
David, son of 
Oliver, son of 
Gideon, son of 

25, 1736. 
Sarah, dr. of 

1736. 
Jose. Knowlton, 
Aaron, son of 

1737. 



Danl.Warner, Mar. 15, 1734. 
Noah Alvord, July 29, 17-34. 
Moses Burt, March 29, 17.35. 
Nathl. Hitchcock, June .30, 

Saml. Warner, July 8, 17-35. 
Saml. Stebbins, Aug. 23, " 
David Mirick, Oct. 8, " 
Danl. Warner, Dec. 26, " 
David Jones, d. — , 19, 1730. 
Abel Bliss, b. Nov. 20, " 
Nath'l. Hitchcock, b. Nov. 

Daniel Lamb, b. Dec. 4, ( ?) 

d. Feb. 11, 1737. 

Aaron Parsons, b. Feb. 14, 

28 



Ester, dr. of 

1737. 
Hannah, dr. of 
Marcy, dr. of 
Eleah, dr of 

1738. 
Elisabeth, dr. of 
Abel, son of 
Jesse, son of 
Seth, son of 

17-39- 
Giddion, son of 

17-39. 
Gad, son of 
Eunis, dr. of 
David, son of 
Timothy, son of 
Rubin, son of 



218 



Rhoda, dr. of Saml. Warner, Sept. 7, 1739. 
Silas, son of Nathl. Hitchcock, Oct. 6, " 

Abel&Seth.s.of Benj. Wright, Feb. 8, IBO. 
Mary, dr. of David Warriner, Mar. 23, " 

-Ithiel, son of David Chapin, Mar. 2C,, " 
Eunis, dr. of Isaac Brewer, Apr. 2U, " 
Merreham, dr. of Moses Bartlit, July 15, " 
Charles, son of Cornelius Webb, Sep. — , " 
Moses, son of Moses Burt, Oct. 27, " 
Jemima, dr. of Abel Bliss, Oct. 12, " 

Ithyel, son of David Chapin, d. Dec. 8, " 
ZeneSjSonof Aaron Parsons, b. " 11, " 
Wid. Elisabeth / d. Apr. 20, 1741, and was 
Cockril, ^1 the l^' person y' was bur- 

( ed in yo moun '»■ 
Thomas, son of David Mirick, b. May 16, 

1741. 
Marther, dr. of Danl. Lamb, Sept. 10, 1741. 
Bethia, dr. of Phynius Chapin, Aug. 8, " 
Jonathan, son of Jonathan Ely, Sept. 14, " 
Bethia, dr. of Pliineas Chajjin, d. atChi- 

cobe, Sept. 23, 1741. 
Elisabeth, dr. of Saml. Warner, b. Oct. 7, '41. 
Noah, son of Saml. Stebbins, Oct. 13, " 
Marther, dr. of Danl. Lamb, Oct. 17, " 
Jerushe, dr. of Danl. Warner, Aug. 17, " 
Nathaniel, son of Natli'l. Bliss, Nov. 20, " 
Enoch, son of David Chapin, Jan. 1, 1742. 
Charles, son of Cornelius Chapin, Jan. 5, " 
Thomas, son of David Mirick, d. Feb. 0, " 
Darius, son of Dav. Warriner, b May 13, " 
Jacop & Israel, of Benj. Warriner, May 19, " 
Jaris,sonof Phines Chapin, July 22, " 
Charles, son of Aaron Parsons, Sept. 17, " 
Benon'y Barnard Marsey Brooks, d. Aug. " 
Mary, dr. of Saml. Stebbins, Aug. 27, " 

Seth, son ol Saml. Stebbins, Sept. 1, ■' 

Isaac, son of Isaac Brewer, b. Aug. 17, " 
Pharon, son of Phines Chapin, d Sept. 15," 
—Moses, son of Moses Bartlit, b. Sept. 13, " 
Eunis, dr. of Thomas Mirick May 8, " 
Martha, dr. of Daniel Lamb, Oct. 21, " 
Jonathan, son of Jonathan Ely, d. Nov. 8, " 
Ester, dr. of Jonathan Ely, b. Dec. 18, " 

Joseph, son of Joseph Sikes, April 9, 1713 
Silas, son of Abel Bliss, April 15, 

David, son of David Jones, Sept. 15, " 
Gad, son of Daniel Lamb, d. Sept. 5, " 

Loes, dr. of David Mirick, b. Oct. 12, " 

Treypheny,dr. of John Brooks, Nov. 8, " 
Bethia, dr. of Phineas Chapin, Aug. 24, " 
Electy, dr. of Joseph Sheldin, Sept. 22, " 
Nath'l Edw'd, of Sam. Wai-ner, Jan. 24, 1744 
Simeon, son of Danl. Cadwcll, Feb. 20, " 
Hannah, dr. of John Jones, Feb. 29, " 
Edatha, dr. of David Chapin, Mar. 15, " 
Mary 2d, dr. of Saml. Stebbins, Mar. 25, " 
Charles, son of David Warriner, Apr. 15, " 



Elijah, son of Aron Parsons, Apr.l7, 1744. 

Treypheny, dr of John Brooks, d. May 31, " 

Othniel, son of John Hitchcock, b. Aug. 10, 

1741. 

Samuel, son of Moses Warriner, Aug. 30, 

1744. 
, dr. of Marcy Brooks, Oct. 8, 1744. 



William, son of Isaac Brewer, Nov. 8, " 
Gad, son of Daniel Lamb, Nov. 9, " 

Mather, dr. of Calep Stebbins, Feb. 15, 

1745. 
Elesaberth, dr of Moses Bartlit, Feb. 23, 1745.- 
Lidya, dr. of Jonathan Ely, Mar. 22, " 
David & Jona., of Nath'l. Bliss, April 4, " 
one that day was a fast upon the acoumpt of 

the Cape breton armey. 
Levi, son of Abel Bliss, May 7, 1745. 

Lucy, dr. of Joseph Sikes, July 13, 1745, 

in a very grate clap of thunder ( 1 1). 
Eunice, dr. of Joseph Shelden, Aug. IC, " 
Gideon, son of Moses Burt, Aug. 10, " 
Isaac, son of Benj. Warriner, Aug. 28, " 
John Brooks, dyed Oct. 11, 1745. 
Noah, son of Kev. Mr. Noah Mirick, b. 

Nov. 1, 1745. 
John, son of John Hitchcock, Jan. 4, 

1740. 
Rachel, dr. of David Chapin, Jan 14, 1740. 
Ruth, dr. of Steph'n Stebbins, Feb 10, " 

Ruben, son of John Jones, Feb. 24, " 
Joshua, son of BenonyAtchason,Mar.l3," 
David, son of Daniel Warner, Apr. 11, " 
" " " " d. " 12, " 

Phanuel, son of Saml. Warner, b. June 19," 
Ann, dr. of Moses Warriner, Aug. 10," 

Margarit, dr. of David Warriner, " 12, " 
Jonathan, son of Jonathan Ely, Oct. 11, " 
Levi, son of Daniel Cadwell, Oct. 13, " 

Luse, dr. of Thos. Mirick, Nov. 11, " 

Lydia, dr. of Saml. Bitrtlit, Nov. 10, " 
Benjamin, son of Benj. Wright, Feb. 8, 1747. 
Maroy, dr. of Saml. Stebbins, Feb. 12, " 
Phinias, son of Phinics Chapin, Mar. 1, " 
Jonathan, son of David Mirick, Mar. 21, " 
Sarah, dr. of Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick, J'ne 

4, 1747. 
Asa, son of David Jones, June 12, 1747. 

Thankfull, dr. of Danl. Warner, June 19, " 
Thomas, son of Nath'l. Bliss, Nov. 25, " 
Aaron, son of Aaron Stebbins, 2d, Dec. 18, 

1747. 
Eleuer, dr. of Moses Bartlit, Dec. 26, 1747.- 
Asa, sonof Stephen Chapin, Jan. 22, 

■ 1748. 

Jonathan, son of Joseph Sikes, Feb. 20, 1748. 
Solomon, son of William King, Feb. 17, " 
Jerusha, dr. of Daniel Lamb, May 2, " 
Stephen, son of Daniel Cadwell, May 30, " 






219 



Rhoda, dr. of Benj. Colton, June 9, 1748. 
Mary, dr. of Aaron Stebbins, June 19, " 

Phebe, dr. of David Cliapin, July 2, " 
Daniel, son of Danl. Warner, d. " 22, " 
Asuba, dr. of Jobn Hitchcock, b Aug 6, " 
Hannah, dr. of Stephen Stebbins, "10," 
Marcy, dr. of Jonathan Ely, Sept. 7, " 
Ann, dr. of Moses Warriner, d. Sept. 9, 

1748. 
Benjamin, son of Benj. Warriner, Sept. 16, 

1748. 
Noah, son of Moses Warriner, b. Oct. 27, 

1748. 
Cliarles, son of Isaac Brewer, Dec. 18, 1748. 

This was the first Baptised in our meet- 
ing hous. 
Justin, son of Calup Stebbins, Jan 3, 1749. 
Marcy, dr. of Saml. Bartlit, Mar. 1, " 
Asenath, dr. of Saml. Warner, March 8, " 
Rachel, dr. of Benj. Wright, Apr. 16, " 
Abner, son of Abner Chapin, May 29, " 
Chiliab Brain'd, Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick, May 

31, 1749. 
Lues, son of Lues Langdon, June 15, 

1749. 
Hannah, wife of Noah Alvord, d. Aug. 25, 

1749. 
Lydia, dr. of Jonathan El.v, Sept. 1, 1749. 
Jonathan, son of David Warriner, b Sept. 16, 

1749. 
Joseph, son of Joseph Chapin, Sept. 27, 

1749. 
Abiah, dr. of Benj. Colton, d Oct 28, 1749. 
Jerushe, dr. of Danl. Warner, Nov. 1, " 
Persis, dr. of Benj. Warriner, b. Jan. 5, 

1750. 
Tabitha, dr. of BenonyAtchinson, Jan. 13, 

1750. 
Abigale, dr. of Thos. Foot, d. Feb. 6, 1750. 
Epliraim Bartlif, Deyed Feb. 19, in the 77th 
yearofhisEage, he was tlie first male ChUd 
that was Born in Suflield. 
Sarah, dr. of AVm. Stasey,b. Mar. 18, '50. 
David, son of Benoni Banester, Mar. 19, 

1750. 
Aaron, son of Aaron Stebbins, Mar. 20, '60. 
Moses, son of Moses Stebbins, May, 1750. 
-Locs, dr. of Moses Bartlit, May 18, 1750. 

Jerusha, dr. of Henry Bagger, June 1750. 
Jemina, dr. of William King, July 4, 1750. 
Mary & Eunise, Aaron Stebbins 2d, Aug. 7 

1750. 
~ Alener, dr. of Moses Bartlit, d. Sept. ],'50. 
Margarit, dr. of Stephen Davis, b. Sept. 17, 

1750. 
Stephen, son of Stephen Stebbins, Sept. '50. 
Joanah, dr. of Dan. Cadwell, Sept. 30, '50. 
Natha., son of Moses Warriner, Oct. 18, '50. 



Obed(?)& Jona., David Chapin, Nov. 15, 1750. 

Both died same day. 
Noah, son of Joseph Sikes, Dec. 9, 1750. 
Lowis, dr. of Daniel Lamb, Dee. 22, 1750. 
Benjamin sou of Benj. Warriner, Mar. 3, '51. 
Funis, dr. of Sam. Bartlit, Mar. 21, 1751. 
Gersham, son of Isaac Skinner, Mar. 30, 175 L- 
Lidya, dr. of Joua., Ely. April. 12, 1751. 
Reubin, son of John Hitchcock, May 1, '51. 
Stephen, son of Steph. Stebbins, d. " 24, '51. 
Hannah, dr. of Sam. Warner, d. May 2(), " 
Mary, dr. of Benj. Wright, b. July 24, '51. 
Calvin son of Moses Stebbins, July 30, '51 . 
Abigale, dr. of Abner Chapin, Aug. 14, '51. 
Samuel, son of Sam. Stebbins, Sept. 8, 1751. 
Mirye, dr. of Thomas My rick, Sept. 9, '51. 
Sam. Fist, [Fisk] Rev. Noah Mirick, " 13, "51. 
Jarusha, dr. of Henry Bagger, d. Oct. 4. '51. 
Abner, son of SimeonWillard, Nov. 15, '51. 
Elizabeth, dr. of " " " 21, '51. 

James, son of Aaron Stebbins, 1st, b. Dec. 

31, 1751. 
Mary, dr. of Lues Langdon, Jan. 11, '52. 
David Justin, s. David Chapin, Jan. 14, 1752. 
Lidaah, dr. of John Bliss, Mar. 9, 1752. 
Joel, son of Aaron Stebbins, 2d, Mar. II, 

1752. 
Samuel, son of Philip Leyon, Mar. 27. '52. 
Stephen, son of Stephen Stebbins, April '52. 
Lovice, dr. of Moses Burt, May 25, 1752. 
Rachil Stiles, d. at Wales, buried here May 

14, 1752. 

son of Jas. Warriner, b. Ju. 4, 1752. 

Nathaniel, s. of Henry Hagger, June, 1752. 
Mihitabel, dr. of Benj. Skinner, b. Ju. 20, " 
Elliner, dr. of Moses Bartlit, b. Ju. 25. '*- 
Luse, dr. of Thos. Mirick, d. Oct. 15, 

17^2, new stile. And on 4th day old stile. 

This is the first in new stile. 
Ebenezer, son of William. Stasey, b.Oct. n. 8. 
Luse, dr. of Wra. King, b. Nov. 19, 1752 
Ann&Abnerc.of MosesWarriner, b. Dec. ), " 

old stile ; 12, new stile. 
Willard, son of Benj. " b. Feb. 17, 1753. 
Mary, dr. of Eben., Bliss, b. Feb. 26, 1753 
Moses, son of Jno.IIitcIicock,b.Mar.I9, " 
Keziah, dr. of Sam. Bartlit, b. Apl. 27, " 
Judah, son of Jona. Ely, b. June 24, 1753. 
, son of Sam. Stebbins, b. July 17, 

died July 27, 1753. 
Lidiah, dr. of Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick, b. 

July 20, 1753. 
Soloman, son of James Warriner, b. Aug. 

16, 1753. 
Gains, son of Isaac Brewer, Aug. 28, 1753. 

Hannah, dr. of Isaac Skinner, Aug. 29, '• 

Mary, dr. of David Warriner, died Oct. 

15, 1753. 

Jame.=, son of Jiimes Twing,b.Nov.28, '53. 



220 



Aaron, son of David Cadwell,Dec. 23, 1753. 
Nathan, son of Joseph Sikes, b. Jan. 4, 1754. 
Ester, dr. of Abner Chapin, Dec. 7, 17$4. 
Mary, wife of Samuel Stebbins, died Aug. 

1750, att Longmeadow. 
Samuel Stebbins who was the head of a 

famaly in this phise, Dyed att Somers the 

10th Day of february, yc year 1754, in the 

4Ctli year of his age and left his 2d wife a 

widow. 
Loviso, dr. of Daniel Lamb, b. Feb. 12, '54. 
Dolly Pynchon, Marcy Warriner, Feb. 17, " 
Hannah, wife of Isaac Colton, Jr., d. Mar. 11, 

1754. 
Ruth, dr. of Sam. Warriner, b. May. 14," 
David Chapen dyed May 16, 1754. 

dr. of Ezra Barker, May 24, 1754. 

Miream, wife of " " " " 26, 1754. 

Mary, wife of Sam. Warner, June C, 1754. 
Lamewell,8on of Henry Bagger, b. July 3,1754. 
Lydia, dr. of Philip Lyon, July 19, 1754. 
Jacob, son of Widow David Chapin, July 

21, 1754. This child was born 9 weeks and 

3 Days after its father's Derth. 
Benj., son of Benj. Skinner, Ju. 21, 1754. 
Seth, son of Aaron Stebbins, Sept. 5, " 
Lovise, dr. of Moses Burt, d. Sept. 26, " 
Moses, son of Moses Colton, b. Oct. 7, 1754. 

c. of Aaron Stebbins Jr. d. Oct. S. 

Ester, dr. of Lewes Langdon, b. Nov. — 

son of JamesMirickJr.Jan.lO, '55. 

Lideah, dr. of John Bliss, d. Jan, 29, 1755. 
Ester, dr. of Moses Stebbins, b.Jan. 28," 
Luse, dr. of Ebenezer Bliss, Jan. .30, " 

Ester, dr. of Benj. Warriner, Feb. 19, " 
Luther, son of William King, Mar. 22, " 
Luse, dr. of Caleb Stebbins, .\pl. 13, 1755. 
Anne, dr. of Jabez Hendrick, March — 
Elener, dr. of SamuelWarriner,Mayl2, " 
Thankfull, dr.of Sam. Bartlit, May, 13, 1755. 
Henry, son of Jona., Ely, May 15, 1755. 
Sarah, dr. of John Langdon, Ju. 11, 1755. 
Sarah, wife of " " died July 22, 

in the 22d year of her age, and 2d person 

yt was burid in the south buring place. 
Plinney, son of Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick, born 

Sept 13, 1755. 
Margarit, dr. of AbnerChapin, Sept.24, 1755. 
Moses, son of Daniel Cadwell, " .30, 1755. 
Elisabeth, dr. of William Stacy, Oct, 29. 1755. 
Mary, dr. of Nath. Hitchcock, d. Nov. 13. 
Joseph, son of Henry Badger, Jan. 5, 1756. 
Marcy (.') dr. ot James Twing,b. Jan. 8, '56. 
Daniel, son of Moses Warriner, " 16, 1750. 
Lydia, dr. of John Bliss, Jan. 19, 1760. 
Miream, dr. of James Warrener, " 22, '56. 
Gad, son of StephenStebbins,Feb.l3, " 

Apollus, son of Isaac Skinner, Feb. 17, 1756. 



ApoUus, son of Steph.Colton, d. Mar. 21, '56 

Natha., son of Natha. Hitchcock, b. June 

15, 1750. 

dr. of Sam. Warriner, Ju. d. 28, " 

Aaron, son of John Hitchcock, Sept. I, " 

son of Benj. Warriner, b. Sept. 20. 

son of Ezekiel Wright, d. Sept. 20. 

Icobod, son of Philip Lyon, Oct. 2, 1756. 

John, son of Daniel Lamb, Oct. 2, " 

Hannah, dr. of Joseph Sikes, Oct. 22, 1756. 

Amhus, son of Moses Stebbins, October. 

Eeubin, son of Reubin Warriner, Nov. 17, 

1750. 

Louise, dr. of William King, Dec. 7, 1756. 

Henry, son of Henry Wright, Dec. 17, " 

Hannah dr. of Moses Colton, Dec. 26, 1756. 
Capt. (.') Coats a Soldier, sickened and dyed 

January 4, 1757. 
Sam'll, son of Philip Lyon, d. Jan. 12, 1757. 
Oliver, son of John Bliss, Jan. 13, 1757. 
Abigail, dr. of Stephen Colton, b.Jan.27," 
Aaron, son of Benj. Wright Jr. " 28, 1757. 
Martha, dr. of Aaron Stebbins, Feb. — " 
Joseph, son of Henry Badger, Feb. — " 
Lowis, dr. of Aaron Stebbins 2d, " — " 
Ezra, son of Ezra Barker, Mar. 20, " 
son of Sam. Warriner, d. Mar. 28, 



1757. 
Eliza., dr. of j'ona. Ely, b. May 15, 1757. 
Louise, dr. of Sam. Bartlit, July 11, 1757. 
Doratha, dr. of Jabez Hendrick, Ju. 10, " 
Comfort, dr. of Dan. Warriner, d.Ju. 14, 1757. 

She was the firs person born in this pre- 

scint. 
Catarine, dr. of Stephen Bliss, b. Aug. 1757. 
Leusee, dr. of Abner Chapin, Aug. 29. " 
Lusee, dr. of Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick, b. 

September 4 and died the 10th, 1757. 
Katarine, dr. of Joseph Miller,d.Sept. 12,'57. 
Reubin, son of Reubin Colton, " 26, 1757. 
Isaac Skinner, died October 3, 1757. 
Rachel, dr.of Lewes Langdon, b. Oct. '57. 
Elisabeth, dr. of Benj. Skinner, Oct. 2, 1757. 
Mary, dr. of Nathaniel Hutchinson, d. 

October 24, 1757. 
Lydah, dr. of Benj. Warriner Jr. Nov. 5, 

1757. 
Sarah, dr. of Reub. Warriner, Dec. 2, '57. 
Do David Mirick, of the fourth Church in 

Springfield, Dyed No^' 30th 1757. 
Sarah, dr. of Reubin Warriner, Jan. 17, 

1758. 
son of Sam. Warriner, Fob. 17, '58. 



Hannah, dr. of Dan.Cadwell,b.Mar.5,175S. 
Miream, dr. of Moses Warriner, Apl. 1, '58. 
Ann, dr. of Ezra Barker, May 22, 1758. 
Samuel, son of Paul Langdon, Sept. — '58. 
son of James Warriner, 175S. 



221 



Samuel, son of Philip Lyon, in ye Somer. 
Mable, son of James Twiiig, in ye Somer. 

John Bliss, 1758. 

Stephen Colton, 1758. 

William King, Nov. — 1758. 

Samuel Warner, " 17, 1758. 

lieubinVVarriner,Nov'. — " 

William King d.Sept.— 1758. 

Keubin Warriner, Nov. " 
Keuben Warriner, died Dec. 29, 175S. 
Sarah, dr. of Natha., Hitchcock, b. Feb. 
5, 1759. 

son of 

dr. of 



Abiah, dr. of 

dr. of 

Walter, son of 
Ann, dr. of 

dr. of 

Louise, dr. of 
son of 



Sam. Warriner, Feb. 22, '59. 

Moses Stebbins, '58. 

■ Icabut, son of Philip Lyon, d. Mar. 3, 1759. 
John Wilson, s. JohnLangdon,b.Mar.ll,'59. 
Moses, son of Moses Stebbins, d. Apl. '59. 
Richard, son of William Stacy, April 1759. 
•Elizabeth, dr. Hy. Wright, b. Apl. 28, '59. 
Clowe, 7th dr. of Samuel Bartlit, 1759. 

Experience T.dr.Moses Colton, 1759. 

Marcy dr. of Stephen Bliss, 1759. 

Lovise dr. of Daniel Cadwell, 1759. 

Luse dr. of Jabes Heudrick May 23, '59. 

Mrs. Day dyed, bured west side y« River, 

May 18, 1759. 
Marcy, wife of Isaac Brewer, d. May 20, '59. 
Widow Rachil Chapin, June 3, 1759. 
Samuel Baker 1759. 

Ezekil Wright, child 1759. 
Ester, dr. of Lues Langdon " 

Sergant Aaaron Stebins lost two cliildren " 
John son of Noah Bowker b. Jan. 17 

1700 died. 
Benjamin son of Ezekial Russel b. 1759. 
Jerusha. dr. of Henry Badger, 1759 
Bershabe, dr. of Benjamin Warrener, Jr., 

Feb. 10, 17()0. 
Kebekah, dr. of Benjamin Skinner, Feb. 17, 
1700. 

Moses Stebbins, Feb. 1700 
Henry Chapin, Mar. 4, " 
Oliver Bliss, Mar. 13, " 
John Hitchcock, Mar. 18, 



David, son of 
James son of 
Achsah, dr. of 
Phebe, dr. of 

1700. 
Isaac, son of 

1700. 
Samuel, son of 

17C0. 
Arthemus, 
Mariah, dr. of 



Stephen Colton, April 12, 
Samuel Warriner, May 24, 
John Langdon, May 25, 



Abner Chapin, June 7, 1700 
Stephen, son of James Warriner, June 8, 
Crease, dr. of Comfort Chaffee, June 22, 

1700. 
Thankful, dr. of Paul Langdon, June 27, '00 
Mable, dr. of Philip Lyon, Aug. 9, 1700 
Actilus (?) son of Lewis Langdon, (.') Aug. 22, 
Isaac, son of Isaac Osborne, Sept. 18, '00. 



James son of Aaron Stebbins, b. Oct. 4. 
Actilus, son of John Langdon, d. Oct. 16. 
Seth, son of Samuel Warner, Jr. b. Dec, 

2, 1700. 
Aaron, son of 

0, 1701. 
Seth, son of 
Daniel Sear(.') 
John, son of 
Lusi, dr. of 



Aaron Parsons, Juner, Jan. 



Aaron Stebbins, 2d, Jan. 20, 
Nath. Hitchcock, Jr. Jan. 29 
James Twing, Jan. 27, 1701 
John Bliss, Mar. 1, 1701. 
Rachil, dr. of Henry Wright, Mar. 3, '61. 
Horace or Oliver William King, Mar. 24, '01. 
Daniel, son of James Mason, Mar. 29,'Gl 

, dr. of John Bliss, d. Mar. 31, 1761. 

Mary, the Avife of William Stacey, Ap. 11, '61. 
Aaron, son of Aaron Bliss, b. May, 9, 1701. 
Martha, dr. of Silas Hitchcock, May, 28,'fll. 
Stephen, son of Stephen Bliss, June 24, '01. 
Hannah, dr. of Samuel Warner, July 20, '61. 
Louise, dr. of Henry Badger, July, 28,' 01. 
Nathan, son of Moses Colton, July 29, 1761. 
Timothy, son of Thomas Mirick and Mary 
Mirick, was Bit By a Ratel Snake one Aug. 
the 7tii, 1701, and Dyed within about two or 
three ours he being twenty two years two 
months and three Days old and vary near 
the point of marridge. 
Abijah, son of Jabes Hendrick, b. Aug. 10, 
John, son of Henry Chapin, Sept. 13, '61. 
Simeon, son of John Hitchcock, Sept. 2'^, 
Martha, dr. of Jonatlian Ivelborn, Sept. 29, 
Aasa, son of Ezekel Russill, Oct. 10, '61 
Elisabeth, dr. of William Stacy, d. Nov.4,'61 
Lt. P. Langdon Dyed Disember 3, 1701. 
Aaron son of Samuel Warriner, b. Dec. 13 
Ethan, son of Ezra Barker, Jan. 1, 1702. 
Gad, son of Benjamin Warriner, Jan. 29 

Samuel, son of Samuel Bartlit, Jan. .30. '62 
Samuel, son of Abner Chapin, Jan. 31, '62. 
Mary dr. of Oliver Bliss, Feb. 4, 1702. 

'—, son of Asa Simons, Feb. 12, 1702. 

Sabrare, dr. of Stephen Colton, Mar. 17,'02. 
Lucy, dr. of John Biiss, Mar. 28, 1702. 
Joseph Millar has lost two children born here 
AVidow Sarah Sheldon, Dyed over the River 

and is Bured in this place Mar. 23, 1702. 
James, son of John Langdon, b. Mar. — 
Abigale, wife of Samuel Kilborn Dyed Brim- 
field, Ap. 4, 1702, Burid here. 
Timothy, son of Moses Stebbins, b. Ap. 17, 
Ensign Abel Bliss, Dyed Ap. 30, 1762, he was 

in the 54th year of his age. 
Sarah, dr. of Joel Bliss, b. May 13, 1702. 
Louise, dr. of Samuel Warner, Jr. May 26, 
Martha, dr. of Asa Challc, May 19, 1762. 
Bershabee,dr. of Comfort Chaffee June—, '62 
Nathan, son of Samuel Brooks, July 2, 1762. 
Noah, son of Rev. Mr. Noah Mirick of 



222 



Springfield fourth parish had Bin about 

three years in Collidge. Drowned at Came- 

bridge on Thusday the 24tli Day of June 

in year 1762 in tlie 17th year oi his age. 

Olive, dr. of Benjamin Skinner,b. July 4, 

Noah, son of Joseph Silses, d. July 11, '02 

Silos, son of Joseph Jones, b. Aug. 26, 

Jesse, son of Jesse Warner, Sept. 11, '62. 

Achsah, dr. of Joseph Sikes, Sept. 17, 

Azubah, dr. of Isaac Osborn, Sept. 30, 1762. 

rhilip, son of Piiilip Lyon, Sept. 28, 17(i2. 

Ester, dr. of Lewis Langdon, . 28, '02 

Hannah Jones wife of David Jones, Dyed 

Nov. 30, 1762. 
Enoch, son of Aaron Stebbins, 2d b. Jan. 5 



1703. 



Aaron Bliss, Jan. 13, died. 



Elisha Ferres, child, dyed Jan. 13, 1763. 

, son of Henry AVight, b. Mar. — , '63 

b.Mar. 14, 1763. 
Henry Badger, ('omitted^ 



[defaced] 
Jerusha, dr. of 
Sept. — , 1759 
, dr. of 



Tabatha Day, Mar. 20, 1763. 
Samuel Warriner, Ap. 28, 

Nathll. Hitchcock, Jr., b. 



1703, died 
Luse, dr. of 

May 27, 1703. 
Ethan, son of James Warriner, b. July 8, 

1703, the first Child that was born in Wilbra- 

ham, after set of as a town. 

Births, 366, deaths 65. In another place 
Warner numbers 88 deaths, which includes 
those in Wales and the Half mile, I presume. 



k:. 



82. 



MINISTRY AND SCHOOL LOTS. Page 81. 

Dr. S. E. Merrick says, in his address, 1831, that the ministry and 
school lots were leased for nine hundred and ninety-nine years because 
they could not be sold. This is a mistake. They were sold. But they 
were leased year by year, before they were sold. I have before me a deed 
given to Oliver Bliss by a committee chosen by the town to sell a portion 
of the Ministry Lot, in the Second Division, making part of the farm of 
the late John Bliss. The deed is dated Feb. 29, 1776, and conveyed all 
" the land between the main and middle road," a strip " Thirty-seven 
Rods and four foots wide." Bliss agreed to pay " the sum of one Hun- 
dred and Twenty Two Pounds Ten Shillings LawfuU Money " for the Land. 
I have another deed, given to Jonathan Miriek, June 8, 1772, of a por- 
tion of the Ministry Lot in the Third Division, extending from the top of 
the mountain east of Mr. WilKam V. Sessions's to the middle road. The 
" consideration" was " forty-one Pounds nine Shillings and Sixpence." 

The school lands were leased for 1768, as follows: "To James Eddy 
£0. 3.0; To Sam' Glover £0. 12. ; To Isaiah Chaffee £0. 4. ; to 
Amos Chaffee £0. 4. ; To John Bliss £0. 6. : Total £1. 9. 0." 

A considerable portion of the ministry lands were sold in 1772 ; for in 
that year the committee chosen to sell the lands delivered to the town ' ' nine 
bonds for Money on Interest Due to said town on aceonnt of the sale of 
the Ministry Lands so far as they have sold of the same," viz : — 



223 



James Ferry, one, Dated June 8th, 1772, £9.3. 2. 

Jonathan Min-iek, 

I^zekiel Russell, " " 1st, 

Amos Hitchison, " May 28, 

Joseph Dunham, 

Benj. Farmin, " June 8, 

Oliver Bliss, 

Levi Bliss, 

Caleb Stebhins, 

and over plus lands. 

Total, "Lawfull Money," £.349. 3. 



41. 


10. 





10. 


17. 


8 


12. 


10. 





31. 


18. 


3 


.39. 


18. 





27. 


8. 





7€. 


9. 


6 


15. 


0. 






In April 1769, it was voted '• that the Com'^^ which was chosen to 
Sell or Lease the School Lands in this town shall Sell or Lease the same 
in such manner as is most for the Interest and Benefit of this Town and 
according to their best skill and Judgement and that they give to the Pur- 
chasers good Title of or to the same by Lease or deed on behalf of this 
Town on conditions following (viz) that the purchaser or Purchasers shall 
at Bargaining for said Lands pay the Cost for the same, or find two good 
Sureties with themselves who shall be firmly Bound for Sure payment, 
further Voted * * * that said Committee make report of their doings to 
some future Meeting." 

There is an article in the warrant for a meeting, Jan. 1, 1770, "to 
receive the Pteport of the Com'*''' which was chosen to lease or sell the 
School Lands." Their report is not recorded; but a committee is chosen 
" to take care of the money which the School Lands wore sold for, and to 
see to it that the same is safe and that the Interist of the same be paid 
yearly and lodged in the town treasury," etc. 

In the same year an easement is made to Samuel Warner on the sum 
which he paid "for a part of the School Land since Warner purchased 
of the Town," etc. And finally it is said that the " Ministry Lands " 
were disposed of on the same conditions as the " School Lands." They 
were sold, not leased. 



224 
L. p. 84. 

A LIST OF THE ROADS FIRST LAID OUT IN THE TOWN. 

1. From the Brook at the Sand hill to Stafford & up to the north and South 
road near Joel Chaffee's. 1764 March 

2. From David Warriner's west to Stony Hill, the west side of Outward Com- 
mons. 1764 March. 

3. Alteration in Middle road from the late John Bliss's to Bay Road. 1764. 
March. 

4. From Dea. John Adams's west to Spd line. April 1765. 

5. From the First Road by Henry Badger's round by Butler'.s ; altered from 
the Road 1764. 1767, March. 

6. Road altered a few rods by Samuel Warner's in main St. or Road, 1767. 

7. Road from Joel Chaffee's to Monson line, by David Lyon's, 1767. 

8. From Jabez Hendi'ick's north to Bay Road. 

9. From Moses Bartlett's, on middle road, to west Road at Dr. John Sterns's, 
1768. 

10. Road from Meeting house south of Philip Lyon's and Nath' Bliss's. 1768. 

11. Present Stony Hill Road from main road to the end of North West course, 
where it turns and runs Strait west, 1769 

12. From Gideon Kibbe's North to "Longmeadow path," 1770. 

13. From Jabcz Hendrick's to Joel Chaffee's. 

14. From Levi Bliss's, altered to Bay Road, 1771. 

15. From the present School House by Mr. Cross's to Sp'^ line, 1771. 

16. Fi'om Monson line, East of Comfort Chaffee's west to north & south road, 
between John & Joel Chaffee's. 

17. From Jabez Hendrick's north to east and west road on overplus land 

18. From Monson line on overjjlus land to Middle Road. 

19. From Monson line to Abner Badger's saw mill. 

20. From the Scantic bridge, by Jacob Wood's. 



]\X. p. 98. 

ANCESTRY OF REV. NOAH MERRICK, ETC. 

Thomas Mirick (as the name was then spelled) is said to have come 
from Wales through Koxbuiy and Hartford, and settled on the south side 
of Agawam River, in what is now called West Springfield. He married, 
July 7, 1639, Sarah, daughter of Rowland Stebbins, and for a second 
wife, 1653, Elizabeth Tilley, by whom he had James, 1670, the father of 
Noah, born August 6, 1711, the first minister of Wilbraham. Noah 



225 

graduated at Yale College, 1731. Nothing more is known of him till 
1735. Where he studied theology I am unable to discover. I find an 
appropriation of £5. 10s. made for his preaching " two Sabbaths and one 
Thanksgiving " in Springfield, 1735, entered April 24th in the Records, 
and another, entered Feb., 1736, "for preaching two Sabbaths, £4." 
This was before the settlement of Rev. Mr. Breck. This is all I can 
learn of his history before his name appears on the records of Wilbraham. 
After his settlement here he was married, October, 1744, to Mrs. Abigail 
Brainard, widow of the Rev. Mr. Brainard, of Eastbury, Ct., and daugh- 
ter of Rev. Phineas Fisk, of Haddam. He was called to attend councils 
and ordinations in adjoining towns and parishes. He was at John Mc- 
Kinstry's ordination as first minister in Chicopee, September 27, 1752. 
He preached from Matthew x. 16, at the fast held before the ordination of 
Joseph Lathrop, August 18, 1756, and he offered a prayer at the ordina- 
tion, August 25. There were at this time but nine churches in the county, 
and but seven had pastors. Mr. IVIerrick attended the ordination of Syl- 
vanus Grriswold, first pastor of the second church in West Springfield, 
called Feeding Hills, November 17, 1762. The following entry in the 
journal of Dr. Samuel F.Merrick, his son, dated "Dec. 22, 1776," 
gives an account of Rev. Mr. Merrick's death and funeral : — 



This day departed this life ray Hon"! Father in the 66th year of his age & 36th 
of his ministry (if I mistake not) he having laboured under great bodily infirmities 
for many years & for about eleven months had not been able to preach at all, he 
declined gradually till the 21st instant a little before nine at night he was taken 
senseless and motionless, he lay in that situation till the next day, being Sun- 
day, a little before three P. M. he closed his eyes in death & launched into the 
eternal world & left his Avife and children to mourn for the loss of so good a Hus- 
band and Parent * * * * His body was decently interred the Wendsday following 
when a sermon suitable to the ocation was preached by the Eev. Mr. Breek of 
Springfield from those words in 2 Corinthians 4 : 7, we have the treasure in 
earthen vessels. 



Mrs. Abigail Merrick, his wife, survived him thirty-one years, and died 
September 12, 1807, in the ninetieth year of her age. 

The following is the inscription and epitaph on the table monument over 
their graves : — 



29 



226 



Here lies interred the Body of 
The Revened and Worthy 

NOAH MERICK 

Pastor of the Church of Christ 
in this Town, 

Who Died December ye 22, A. D. 1 776, 

in ye 66 year of his age 

And 36^1^ of his Mincstry. 

O Thou great Arbiter of hfe and Death 
With the Patriarchs joy 

Thy call i follow to the land unknown 
i trust in The and know in whom i trust 

At his right side lies Abigail his wife 

Who Died September 12th 1807 in the 98th 

Year of her age. 

As A Shock of Corn fully ripe 
Cometh forth in its season 

TV. p. 99. 

SETTING OFF THE SOUTH PARISH. 

At town meeting, Dec. 24, 1781, a committee from out of town was I" 
chosen to consider the question of having two parishes. 



w 



227 



REPORT OF THIS COMMITTEE. 

To the Inhabitants of the town of Wilbraham : — 

Gentlemen : We have taken into our Deliberate consideration (pursuant to 
your desire) the several matters you by your Committee thought fit to lay before 
us, which has brought to a determination, that some division of your Town is 
necessary. Concerning the manner of which you have been pleased to refer your- 
selves to us for aid and advice 

Our opinion upon the matter submitted to us you have in the following report. 
The Committee consider it a great unhappiness that a town so Respectable as 
the Town of Wilbraham is, Should in the management of their Publick affairs, 
suffer such animosities to arise amongst them, as to have any Tendency to prevent 
the general benefits and advantage that might otherwise arise to them, by inculcat- 
ing those generous Sentiments of love and esteem, which is so essential to the well- 
being of every society. 

Whether by the Local Situation of the Inhabitants of the several parts of said 
Town, or whether by the supposed or real Indiscretion of any persons ; in the ami- 
cable management of your public affairs make it expedient that a Division should 
take place amongst you, we pretend not to say. 

Though the manner of it seems only to be referred to us, yet we conceive it may 
not be improper to declare our Concurrence in Sentiment with you, that some Di- 
vision is become necessary : • Touching the mode of it and how it shall be made 

(which appears to be the principal object) It is the united opinion of the 

Committee and which they conceive will best accommodate the Inhabitants of the 
Several Parts of the Town that it be Divided into two Parishes, by the name of 
North and South Parishes, by a line Coinciding with the South Line of the Lot 
whereon Nathaniel Bliss Decesed lived, from the westward Bound of said town to 
Monson Line : — (with this exception) that the Inhabitants of said Town living 
on the west from the top of the mountain to the south side of Lieut Thomas Mer- 
rick's Lot to the westward Bounds of said Town with their Estates be annexed to 
the North Parish and that the Inhabitants living East from the top of the moun- 
tain from said South side of S'^ Bliss's Lot north to the south side of Lot originally 
Laid out to Jonathan Taylor's Estate to Monson line, be annexed to the South 
Parish with their Estates, if each or any of said Inhabitants Should Choose so to 
do — they making their Choice previous to said Parish being Incorporated, and 
they thus Choosing to be annexed to the Respective Parishes forever. 

And that each part of said Town have and Enjoy equal parts of the Land Se- 
questered for the use of the Ministry, or the Monies or Securities for money that 
may be in the Treasury — the proceeds of the Sale of Said Lands or any other 
money or Security for money or Donation for the support of the Gospel, be and 
remain to each Parish in equal parts. 

And the Meeting House Standing in the North part of Said Town be and be- 
long to the North Parish so long as they continue to meet in it for the Publick 
Worship of God. 

Should that love and Union take place which your Committee earnestly recom- 
mend, and which is so Essential to the well being of every Society, they are of 
opinion, that said House be and remain, for the use of the whole of said Town 
for the purpose of carrying on their Meeting in future. 



228 

We sincereljf wish that love and harmony may again take place among you, 
that we may have the satisfaction of Knowing that our poor Endeavors have in 
some measure Contributed toward the effecting an event so important. 

We are Gentlemen with sentiments of Love and Esteem your Friends and 
Humble Servants. 

JOHN HALE 
LUKE BLISS 
WM. PYNCHON, JR. 

Springfield, Feb. 21, 1782. 



PETITION FOR JNCORPOUATJON. 

Common Wealth ( To the Hon^^« Senate ^ House of Representatives In Gen- 
OF Massachusetts ( eral Court Assembled — 

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Williraham — Humbly slieweth 
— That Whereas it is of Great Importance that We Constantly attend upon the 
Preaching of the Gospel, and as by the Annexing of Wales to the South Part of 
Sd Town the Present Meeting House is much out of the Center — And By the 
Blessing of Heaven We are So Multiply'd that the attendance upon the Preaching 
of the Gospel is Rendered "Very DiiKcult, and almost Impossible for Great Num- 
bers, to Attend on a Preached Gospel and Whereas there is at Present No Settled 
Minister in S'l Town and as the Wants of a Division of S^^ Town, Will Probably 
if not Inevitably Prevent the Settlement of one, to the Real Hurt of S<^ Town — 
We are Humbly of Opinion that it is an Opportune Season to Have Sd Town 
Divided — and as We Hope We are Able to Support two Ministers and as Nature 
Has Seemed to form us for two Parishes Being Near Nine Miles North & South, 
and four Miles and an Half East & West — We The subscribers Therefore (in 
Behalf of this Town ) Petition y^ Hon''^ to Incoi-porate this Town into two Par- 
ishes, By the Name of the North and South Parishes — By a Line Coinciding 
With the South Line of the Lot Whereon Nath" Bliss Deceased Liv'd, from the 
Westward Bounds of S<i Town to Monson Line: — (with this Exception) that the 
Inhabitants of S'l Town Living on the West from the Top of the Mountain To 
the South Side of L*. Tlio' Mirick's Lot, to the AVestward Bounds of S'l Town 
With their Estates, Be annexed to the North Parish and that The Inhabitants 
Living on the East from the Top of the Mountain from S'l South Side of S** 
Bliss's Lot North to the South Side of the Lot Originally Laid oiit to Jonathan 
Taylor's Estate to Monson Line, Be annexed to the South Parish With Their Es- 
tates, If each or any of S'l Inhabitants Should Choose So to Do — They Making 
their Choice Previous to said Parishes Being Incorporated, and they thus Choos- 
ing, To Be annexed To the Respective Parishes forever 

And that Each Part of S'l Town Have and Enjoy Equal Parts of the Land se- 
questered for the use of the Ministry, or the Monies or Securities for Money that 
may Be in the Treasury, the Proceeds of the Sale of S'l Land or any other money 
or security for Money or Donation for the support of the Gospel, Be and Remain 
to Each Parish in Equel Parts, And the Meeting House Standing in the North 
Part of S'l Town Be and Belong to the North Parish So Long as they Continue to 
Meet in it for the Publick Worship of God, — 



229 

This Petition for the substance of it is Agreeable to a Report of a Comtek unani- 
mously chosen By this Town, (which Report will accompany this Petition to y" 
Hon" together with the Votes of the Town Relative thereto) To Advise this 
Town in What Manner to Be Divided, Which Report was Accepted By a Vote of 
the Town at A Legal Town Meeting, April 5, 1782— and at the Same Meeting 
We the Subscribers, Were Chosen a Com*" to Refer the above Petition to yf 
Honi-s Which We Pray y Hon" to Take into y Serious Consideration and act 
thereupon as you in your Wisdom Shall Think Best — as in Duty Bound We 
Ever Pray. 

MOSES STEBBINS) Com"''' 
ENOCH BURT V of 

PHILIP LYON ) Wilbraham 

P. S. We Pray y" Hon" to Annex L» Tho^ Mirrick With His Estate to the 
North Parish, He Having made His Choice So to Be. Also Mr. David Wood to 
the South Parish With His Estate He Likewise Having made his Choice So to Be 
Or any other of S'^ Inhabitants Included in Sd Com^^^ Report they Signifying 
their choiee to y'' Hon" Before Incorporation of S*^ Parishes. 

MOSES STEBBINS 
Wilbraham April 8, 1782. ENOCH BURT 

PHILIP LYON 



ACT OF IXCORPORATION. 

C m m n trr t u 1 1 b of gl a s s a t b u s r 1 1 s . 

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-TWO. 

An Act for dividing the Town of Wilbraham into two Separate Parishes. 

Whei-eas for the greater convenience of attending the public Worship of God it 
is found necessary to divide the Town of Wilbraham into Two Separate Parishes 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court 
assembled and by the Authority of the same tlmt the said Town of Willn-aham be 
and the same is hereby divided into two separate Parishes by the names of the 
North Parish and the South Parish by a Line Coinciding with the South of the 
Lot whereon Nathaniel Bliss deceased lately lived from the West Bounds of said 
Town to Monson.Line — and the Parishes above mentioned and each of them be 
and hereby are severally invested with all the Powers Rights and Privileges which 
Parishes in this Commonwealth are by Law invested with — and be it further 
Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that Mr Thomas Merrick with his Lands and 
Estate be and he hereby is annexed to the north Parish abovementioned and David 
Wood, Jesse Carpenter and Jonah Beebe with their Lands and other Estate be 
and they hereby are annexed to the South Parish in the said Town, any thing in 
this act to the contrary nothwithstanding— And be it fm-ther Enacted that each of 
the Parishes aforesaid shall have and enjoy in equal Shares the Lands heretofore 
sequestered devised or given for the use or support of the ministry and the monies 
or Securities for money that may be in the Treasury and as well the Proceeds of 
the Sale of Lands as any other monies or Securities for money that have been 
given to the Inhabitants of the said Town for the support of the Gospel. 

And be it further Enacted, that the Inhabitants of the north Parish 



230 



aforesaid shall have a Right to improve the meeting house now standing in the 
same Parish for the purposes of public Worship so long as they shall think proper 
so to improve it. And be it further Enacted that John Bliss Esq be and hereby is 
empowered to issue his Wan-ants to some principal Inhabitants of each of the said 
Parishes requiring them to warn the Inhabitants of the Parishes to which they 
respectively belong to meet at such time and place in each of the said Parishes 
as by such Warrants shall be duly specified and then choose such Officers as may 
be necessary to manage the Affairs of the said Parishes — And the Inhabitants 
qualified by Law to vote being so assembled shall be and hereby are impowered to 
choose such Officers in their respective Parishes accordingly. 

In the House of Representatives June 20"^ 1782 This Bill having had three 
several Readings passed to be enacted 

NATH GORHAM Speaker 

In Senate June 20^^ 1782 This Bill having had two several Readings passed to 
be Enacted. 

SAMUEL ADAMS President 
Approved 

JOHN HANCOCK. 



O. p. 101. 
VALUATION OF THE PROPERTY OF THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM, 1771. 



Thomas Mirick... 
John Hitchcock. . . 
Noah Stebbins . . . . 
Nathaniel Bliss . . . 

Philip Lyon 

Gideon Burt 

Moses Warriner . . 
Noali Warriner. . . 
James Warriner . . 

Moses Burt 

Nath'l AVarriner . . 
Aaron Alvard . . . . 
Daniel Warner . . . 
Phineas Newton . . 

Ezra Barker 

Enocli Chapin 

Isaac Brewer 

William Brewer . . 
Eleazer Smith . . , . 
David Warriner . . 

John Sterns 

Samuel AVarner. . . 
Daniel Murphy . . . 
Samuel Bartlett... 

Abel Bliss 

Nath'l Hitchcock . 
Benj. AVarriner ... 
Nat. Hitchcock, Jr. 

Isaac O shorn 

David Jones 

Elisha Ferry 

Benoni Atchason . 



£8 10 £220 
10 



i 

s 


■a 

.- 
.*« 

o 


1 
a 

1 


4 

a. 

s 

2 


•a 


t 
< 


5 
■s 

6 


"S 
£ 
< 


it 
"■2 

if 


1 
1 

% 


o 

a 

1 
< 


1 
1 


i 

■s 

S 

<\ 


2 


4 


4 


23 


2 


4 


4 


10 


50 




2 


2 


15 


2 


2 


3 


12 


2 


10 


10 


23 


153 


7 






16 


1 


2 


4 


4 




12 


12 


4 


31 


15 






9 


3 


3 


3 


16 


4 




4 


8 


48 


25 


2 


3 


.9 


2 




3 


14 


3 


4 


3 


8 


SO 








8 






1 


13 


2 


8 


8 


3 


45 


10 






10 


1 


2 


3 


5 




3 


3 


4 


32 


4 






12 


1 




2 


4 


1 


1 


1 


5 


25 








7 


2 


7 


6 


25 


6 


3 


3 


38 


150 


5 


4 


4 


20 


.3 


7 


8 


22 


3 


8 


8 


20 


100 


20 


4 


3 


10 


2 


3 


5 


16 


4 


15 


10 


22 


154 


10 


3 


2 


13 


2 


2 


2 


12 


3 


6 


6 


14 


56 


10 


2 


2 


8 


3 


4 


4 


8 


1 


6 


6 


15 


100 


12 


3 


2 


16 


2 


4 


5 


10 


3 


10 


9 


15 


1.35 


20 






15 






1 




1 


4 


2 


10 


50 


7 


1 


1 




1 




2 




2 


5 


3 


1 


10 


8 






3 


.2 


2 


2 


7 








22 


132 


6 






2 


1 






8 




1 


1 


5 


40 


10 


2 


2 


11 


1 




3 


6 




2 


3 


50 


50 


8 






6 


2 


2 


4 


12 


5 


6 


6 


40 


280 


4 


2 


2 


11 


2 




2 


6 




3 


4 












2 


1 


5 


2 


6 


3 






11 


66 








18 


1 




1 


6 




5 


3 


15 


120 


6 


2 


2 


4 


1 




2 


7 


3 


5 


3 


7 


28 


3 


1 


1 


2 


1 


4 


3 


8 


2 




3 


16 


64 








8 


1 


5 


3 


8 








18 


108 








20 




2 


1 


3 


5 


2 


1 


22 


110 


4 


1 


1 


10 


1 


1 


2 


3 


1 


2 


2 


















3 


14 


2 




1 


15 


96 




1 


1 


6 


2 


2 


3 


8 


1 




1 


7 


42 


.J 


2 


1 


1 




2 


1 


6 


4 






12 


72 








7 


' 1 


1 


2 


10 


5 






14 


56 








6 



231 









4 °i1 i ^A'l\ 


4 i 


. 1 






•3 ^ 


i" 






i 


1^ 




•1 


5 


1 Jt-.J .1 

sols S •" ►. 


1 1 




0. 


a 

1 


1 


i 


a " 


i 
1 


1 
■s 


i 


B 
1 


fa 




L 


i 




^1^ 1 


i s 

m o 




2 


s 





2 


.<; 


■Ss" 


n 


1 

< 


l_ 


2 


1 


Sam'l Warner, Jr. 


1 






1 10 








3 


7 


2 






2 


12 


2 


Jesse Warner 


1 








4 10 




1 


4 


4 


2 


2 


3 


2 


17 


102 








10 


7 


Moses Alvard 


2 








5 




1 


2 


2 


4 


2 


2 


2 


27 


166 








13 


17 


Samuel Day 


1 








3 10 




1 


4 


2 


3 


4 






22 


176 








g 


6 


Joseph Abbot 


1 








2 




1 


2 


3 


4 








7 


32 








10 


10 


Nath'l Bliss, Jr. . . 


1 








1 10 






2 


2 


9 


3 






5 


35 








3 


3 


James Eddy 


4 








11 




1 


10 


4 


14 


9 




3 


30 


150 








21 


14 


Caleb Stebbius 


.3 








15 




2 


3 


5 


20 


2 




4 


20 


100 




1 


1 


18 


13 


Joseph Firmin. . . . 


2 








3 10 




2 




1 




1 




















John Crane 


2 








5 




1 


2 


1 




3 




2 


10 


100 




4 


5 


3 


3 


Daniel Cadwell,Jr. 


1 








3 10 






4 


2 


1 




3 


2 


3 


8 












'Zebulon Chapin... 


1 








2 




1 


2 


2 


10 


1 


4 




9 


70 








1 


1 


■"Daniel Cadwell . . . 


2 








9 




1 


2 


••5 


15 


2 




8 


18 


108 


5 


4 


4 


12 


8 


Lemuel Dunham.. 


2 








3 




1 


2 


1 


5 


2 


8 


1 


4 


40 








5 


3 


Paul H itchcock . . . 


1 








1 




1 


2 


1 




1 




















Daniel Carpenter . 


2 
















1 
























/James Twing 


2 












1 


2 


2 


10 


2 


3 


2 


10 


90 


5 


2 


3 


9 


9 


Thomas Dunham . 


1 










41 




4 


2 




2 




















John I'lumley 


1 












1 






4 






















Jonathan Ely 


4 








11 


79 


2 


4 


5 


18 


3 


12 


10 


11 


90 


15 


3 


6 


11 


9 


Joseph Burnham . 


2 








20 




1 


2 


2 




2 


8 


6 


2 


40 




2 


3 


12 


6 


Moses Colton 


3 


1 






3 




2 


2 


10 


26 


4 


18 


12 


14 


100 


18 


7 


7 


18 


14 


Stephen Bliss 


1 








4 10 


1 


1 








7 


4 


7 


30 


7 


2 


1 


7 


4 


Joel Bliss 


1 








4 10 






2 


2 


9 


] 


5 


4 


Q 


30 








8 
10 


7 
8 


Moses Stebblns . . . 


3 








10 1 




2 


4 


4 


10 


5 


22 


10 


11 


1.30 


8 


10 


8 


John Bliss 


1 








11 




2 


4 


6 


15 


3 


17 


12 


7 


100 


7 


8 


8 


7 


8 


Enos Stebbins 


1 








6 




1 


2 


3 


6 


3 


2 


5 


5 


50 




2 


2 


12 


8 


William Stacy .... 


2 








7 




2 


2 


2 


14 


2 


6 


6 


8 


70 


3 


4 


3 


6 


5 


Cary Burdlck 


1 








2 10 




1 




2 






7 


4 








3 


2 


3 


2 


Samuel Sexton ... 


2 








8 




1 


2 


2 


10 


2 


12 


8 


10 


100 


6 


2 


2 


12 


9 


John Goodwell . . 


1 








3 








1 






5 


3 


3 


50 








5 


4 


Joel Cliattee 


1 








3 10 




1 




3 


8 


2 


2 


2 


6 


60 




1 


1 


3 


3 


John Firnim 


1 








5 10 


40 


1 


2 


6 


7 


2 


16 


6 


7 


50 


8 


1 


1 


10 


7 


William Wood. . . . 


1 








4 




1 


2 


1 


8 


1 


6 


4 


6 


40 




2 


2 


6 


4 


Nathan Answorth. 


1 








8 




1 


2 


5 




4 


30 


10 


8 


50 


4 


4 


2 


15 


10 


James Prentice... 




1 






1 10 








1 




2 




1 


3 


30 








2 


2 


Thomas Lewis 


1 








3 10 




1 




2 


12 


2 


3 


3 


3 


24 


5 


2 


3 


5 


4 


Joseph Jones 


1 








4 10 




1 


2 


1 


10 


4 





4 


11 


80 




1 


1 


12 


12 


Joseph Sharon . . . 


1 








2 




1 




1 


6 


2 


3 


2 


4 


30 








3 


3 


Abel King 


4 








5 10 




4 


2 


2 


20 


6 


3 


6 


10 


100 




4 


4 


3 


3 


Jabei Hendrick... 


1 








4 10 




4 


2 


3 


13 


5 


2 


4 


5 


30 








8 


10 


Isaac Morris 


2 








3 10 




1 


2 


a 


5 


1 




2 


3 


30 




1 


1 


8 


6 


Joseph Chaflfee. . . . 


2 








4 10 




1 


2 


2 


8 


2 


2 


3 


6 


50 




2 


2 


8 


6 


Abner Badger 


1 








5 10 




1 


4 


] 


4 


2 


5 


8 


8 


60 




3 


3 


7 


7 


David Perry 


1 








2 








1 


7 






1 


2 


30 




1 


1 


2 


1 


Josepli Butler 


1 








3 10 




1 




' 


4 






5 


4 


40 




1 


1 


5 


6 


Zadock Stebbins . . 


1 








3 10 






2 


i 


6 




a 


4 


4 


40 








8 


7 


Simeon Chall'ee . . . 


1 








4 10 






2 


2 


4 


2 


2 


4 


8 


50 




2 


1 


8 


8 


John Chafl'ee 


2 








12 




2 






5 


2 






3 


26 












Phineas Stebbins . 


1 








4 




1 




'' 


12 


1 






3 


30 




2 


2 


13 


10 


William King 


4 






1 


16 




4 


C 


J 


18 


6 


20 


15 


16 


150 




12 


12 


16 


16 


Thomas Ivlng 


1 








2 10 




1 




1 


10 




4 


4 


5 


50 




3 


3 


5 


5 


Ezekiel Russell . . . 


2 








5 




1 


2 


2 


8 


4 


5 


5 


8 


100 




5 


5 


5 


5 


William Tailler . . . 


1 








4 10 




1 




'1 








1 


18 


122 




1 


1 


14 


9 


Eldad Stebbins . . . 


2 








7 10 




1 


2 


4 


10 


4 


2 


4 


14 


110 


4 


1 


2 


17 


12 


David Burt 


1 








5 




1 


2 




5 


2 


2 


2 


8 


45 




2 


3 


4 


4 


Abner Chapin 




2 






5 10 




1 


2 


s 


IC 


3 


3 


4 


14 


110 


6 


3 


4 


8 


6 


Paul Langdon 


1 








7 




1 




2 


9 


2 


6 


6 


11 


100 


40 


4 


6 


9 


7 


John Langdon. . . . 


1 








5 




1 


2 


2 


10 


3 


1 


3 


34 


SO 


6 


1 


1 


8 


6 


John Williams. ... 


2 








12 




2 


3 


2 


9 


1 


60 


16 


5 


40 


50 


2 


2 


26 


20 


Jonathan Brown . 




1 






3 


















5 


25 








12 


10 


Gideon Kibby 


1 








5 10 




1 


4 


J 


12 


2 


3 


4 


15 


140 




1 


1 


5 


5 


Aaron Stebbins,2d. 


2 


1 






8 




3 


4 


4 


12 


e 


2 


4 


16 


130 


2 


3 


3 


10 


10 


Aaron Stebbins... 


3 








7 




1 


4 


; 


12 


7 




3 


20 


140 


7 


2 


2 


12 


10 


Asa Chaffee 


2 








1 10 




1 




1 


6 


1 






4 


20 








3 


3 


Lewis Langdon. . . 


3 








3 




1 




1 




4 




















Benj. Hutchinson. 


2 








1 10 








4 


8 


3 


2 


3 


3 


40 




2 


1 






Jonathan Mirick.. 


2 








18 10 




3 


8 


4 


7 


€ 


IC 


12 


40 


280 


20 


2 

Il57 


3 
15G 


22 
822 


22 


Names 100ll63 


in 


92| 4 


545 91148|ll5 


202I264I704I282 


460|300 


1012 


6776|417 


\m 



I 



232 



P». p. 109. 

NAMES OF THOSE WHO SIGNED THE NON-CONSUMPTION PLEDGE, 

1774. 



Paul Langdon, 
Thomas Colemau, 
Noah Stebbins, 
Moses Warriner, 
Thomas King, 
Daniel Cadwell, Jr. 
Jonathan Bliss, 
Aaron Alvord, 
Peleg Woodworth, 
Henry Ely, 
Stephen Cotton, 
Noah Warriner, 
Moses Stebbins, Jr. 
Moses Bartlett, Jr. 
Nathaniel Bliss, 
Gabril Burnham, 
Jonatlian Ely, Jr. 
Abel Bliss, 
Levi Bliss, 
Abner Badger, 
Calvin Stebbins, 
John Bliss, 
Ezra Barker, 
Joseph Chafi'ee, 
Paul Hitchcock, 
Rheuben Hitchcock, 
Moses Burt, Jr. 
David Warriner, Jr. 
Abel King, 
Rowland Thomas, 
Jonathan Sikes, 



Phinias Stebbins, 
James Warriner, 
John Langdon, 2d, 
Nathaniel Warriuer,2d 
John Jones, 
Joseph Sikes, 
Jesse Warner, 
David Bliss, 
Joseph Abbot, 
liiiKiiii Atcliinson, Jr. 
Silas Hitchcock, 
John Hitchcock, 
Thomas Jones, 
Caleb Stebbins, Jr. • 
Martin Nash, 
Neliemiah Abbot, 
Abner Warriner, 
Gideon Ijurt, 
Amos Hutchinson, 
Abner Chapin, Jr. 
John Chalice, 
'\Mlliani Stacy, 
.Jesse Laiiil)faire, 
Rowland Crocker, 
Thomas Lewis, 
Enos Stebbins, 
Joel Cliafl"ep, 
Soldiiian King, 
John l,aii,i;ilon, 
Samuel Bartlett, 
Ephraim Chapin, 



Samuel Warner, 
David Perry, 
Lieutt.ThomasMirick, 
Serg't Moses Burt, 
Dea.Natlia. Warriner, 
Joseph Burnham, 
Benoni Atchinson, 
Eleazer Smith, 
Ser. Wm. King, 
David AVarriner, 
David Lyon, 
Abner Chapin, ^ 
Samuel Bebee, ' 
Amos Chafl'ee, 
Serg't AaronStebbins, 
Serg't DanielCadvvell, 
Ebenezer Bebee, .- 
Oliver Bliss, 
Gideon Kibbee, 
Jonathan Ely, 
Nathaniel Hitchcock, 
John Lumis, 
Elijah Parsons, 
Joseph Jones, 
Lewis Langdon, Jr. 
Isaac Dunham, 
Joseph Bumsted, 
Zadock Stebbins, 
Stephen Bliss, 
Zadock Bebee, :^ 
Moses Colton, 



Simeon ChalTee, 
Moses Bartlett, 
Ezekiel Kussel, 
Jabes Hendrick, 
Joseph Mason, 
Ebenezer Crocker, 
Samuel Dunham, 
Thomas Bliss, 
Ebenezer Stacy, 
John Plumbey, 
Nathan Ainsworth, 
Moses Stebbins, 
Samuel Sexton, 
Asa Chattee, 
Justan Stebbins, 
Asa Waukor, 
David Chapin,. - 
AVilliam Orsborn, 
Zenas Jones, 
Benjamin Wright, 
Henry Wright, 
Aaron Bliss, 
Isaac Orsborn, 
Ebenezar Thomas, 
Samuel Warner, Jr. 
Henry Chandler, 
Charles Warriner, 
Ephraim Wight, 
Ephriam AVight, Jr. 
Caleb Stebbins, 
Levi Cadwell. 



<^. p. 115. 

LEXINGTON ALARM. 

Dcc"^. Sth 1775 AKoUof Capt. James Wamner's Company ofWilbrabam who 
marched in defence of Ammerican Liberty on y<' Alarm last April occasioned by 
*•» Lexington Fight with y^ number of officers & soldiers, time of service distance 
from home what due to each according to his character agreeable to a late Resolve 
of the great and Gen^^ court of this Colony (down to Ebenezer Cadwell — Then) 

A list of a number of persons who went upon the Alarm last April occasioned 
by Lexington fight who did not Imbody under the command of any officer, an ac- 
count of y^ time of their service distance from & to home and what due. (the rest 
of the list) {State Rolls.] 



233 



James Warriner Capt 

^W™ King Lit 

John Hitchcock Lit. . . 
Enos Stebbins St ... . 

Thos King St 

Aaron Alvard St . . . . 

Eleaf Smith 

Sam" Day 

Josh Chaifee 

Sam" Mirick 

Asa Chaffee 

Isaac Morris 

Moses Colton 

Chiliab Mirick 

Jon* Cooley 

Isaac Dunham 

Ezckiel Russell 

Reuben Thayer 

Benj. Farnham 

Comfort Chaffee 

Jesse Warner 

Jesse Carpenter 

Jos*> Jones 

Rowland Crocker .... 

Darius Chaffee 

Eben'' Cadwell 



Joshua Eddy . . . 

Enos Clark . . . . 

Ezeki Wright . 

Calvin Stebbins. 

Tho^ Coleman . 

Gideon Burt . . . 

Abel King 

. Charles Brewer . 
,\Benj. Colton . . . 

John Stearns . . . 



Time of 
Service 
Days. 



2. 9 

8. 6 

5. 

17. 1 

17. 1 

17. 1 

14. 2 



4. 3 
14. 2 

14. 2 

11. 4 
2.10 

14. 2 



180 
180 
180 
180 
180 
180 



160 
180 



60 
180 

160 



50 



180 



15 
15 
15 
15 
15 
15 



13.4 
15. 



5 
15 



13.4 



4.2 



15 



For Inn- 
holders. 

(I) 



£2.17. 9 
2. 3. 6 
2. 0. 
1.12. 1 
1.12. 1 
1.12. 1 
1. 9. 2 
1. 9. 2 



1. 7. 8 
1. 9. 2 



0. 9. 3 
19. 2 

17. 6 

1. 4. 8 

0. 7. 

19. 2 

50.10. 5 



Dec 5"i 1775 The Persons above named living in the Town of Wilbraham who 
marched with their arras & ammunition occas^ by Lexington fight some before & 
some came after me who pray that they may have pay agreeable to a late resolve 
of tlie Gen" Court of this Colony agreeable to the services that are fix"! to their 
names which is the time and service alBxt to each man in this Roll according to 
y*' best of my Knowledge 

Attest JAMES WARRINER, Cap*" 

Hampshire ss. Decr 13, 1775 

The above named James Warriner personally appeared and made solemn Oath 
to the truth of the foregoing pay Roll by him subscribed 

Sworn Before John Bliss Just. Pec. 

1 It will be observed that these men run up no bills at taverns for the country to pay. 
30 



234 



The following letter, borne by the messenger from Boston, has been 
found in the city clerk's office, Springfield, among the old papers recently 
opened : — 

Watertown[W^^^"««*l^y , , 
5 morning 10 clock 

To all the Friends of american liberty be it known that this morning before 
break of Day a Brigade confisting of about 1000 or 1200 men Landed at Phips' 
Farm in Cambridge and marched to Lexington where they found a Company of 
our Colony militia in arms ; upon whom they Fired without any Provocation & 
killed six & wounded four Others by an express this moment from Boston we 
find another Brigade are now on their march from Bofton supposed to be about 
1000 Tlie Bearer Mr Isaac Bifsell charged to alarm the country quite to Connec- 
ticutt and all Perfons are Desired to furnish him with such Forfes as they may be 
needed. 

I have spoke with severall Perfons Avho have feen the Dead & wounded Pray 
lett the Delegates from this Colony to Connecticutt see this. 

they know 
J. Palmer 

one of the Com. of S y 

Colo Foster is one of the Delegates i 



Tt. p. 116. 

"A return of Capt. Paul Langdon's Company, in Col. Davidson's Reg* of all 
the meii's names in s'^ Company, & Specifying what town Inlisted from of those 
Dead and of those on Command at Quebeck Oct. 6th 1775." 

Paul Langdon Capt Drums ^ Fifes 

Daniel Cadwell \st Lieut Charles feny Drum"" 

„ Abner Warriner fifer 

bargts. 

Noah Wiirriner Privates Names 

John Langdon Daniel CaiTJenter 

Philip Lyon Aaron Cadwell 

Jonathan Sikes on Command Quebeck 

Corporals. geth Clark 

Aaron Stebbins Abner Chapin 

Othniel Hitchcock Nathan Sikes 

Moses Simons 

1 I have not been able to learn any particulars of the Lexington alarm in Wilbraham ex- 
cept that the whole town was greatly excited, that couriers were sent about the town, and 
that the men assembled, before marching, in the barn referred to in the address. I have 
endeavored to give a description of the " alarm," which will convey to the present genera- 
tion a true idea of the event, and still conform to the truth of history. 






235 



Phaniiel Warner on command Quebeck 

John Langdon 2d 

Ichabod Barker Ludlow 

Cyprian Wright " 

Ezekiel Beebe " 

Lothrop fuller " 

Solomon Cooley " 

John Johnson " 

Joseph Jenings " 

Daniel Swcetland Somers, go to Quebeck 

Daniel Simons Wilbrahara 

Charles Chooley Ludlow 

Simon Stacy Wilbraham i/ 

John Wilson Chaffee Wilbraham 

Ephraim Wight " Discli^ 



Josiah S wetland Somers gone to Quebeck 
John Davis Wibraham 
Reuben Shayler 
Nathaniel Mighets 
Ephraim Dunham 
Joseph Dunham 
William Clark Belchertown 
Edward Cotton Ludlow 
Moses Ellsworth East Windsor 
Ephraim Wight Jr Wilbraham, Dis. 
Benjamin Chubb Dead 
Moses Rood 
Eli Beebe 
Simeon Bates 
Total, 45. 



RoxBUEY Camp, December 25*, 1775. 

To the Committee of Cloathing in Watertown we the Subscribers Soldiers in 
Capt. Paul Langdons Company in Col. Danielsous Regiment Desu'e you to De- 
liver for Each of us the money Due to us for a Coat which was Promised to us at 
the time of our Inlistment to Capt. Paul Langdon and his Receipt Shall be a Dis- 
charge from us as witness our hands. 



his 
Othniel X Hitchcock, 

mark 
John Langdon, 2'1, 
Abnee Warkinee, 
Daniel Caepentee, 
Aaeon Cadwell, 
Seth Clark, 
Abnee Chapin, 
Nathan Sikes, 
Moses Simons, 
Aaron Stebbins, 



Ctpeean Wright, 
Lathrop Fuller, 
Joseph Jinnings, 
Eli Beebe, (^ 
Simon Stacy, 
John Wilson Chaffee, 
Josiah Swetlanu, 
Moses Ellsworth, 
Joseph Dunham, 
John Davis, 
Timothy Burr, 
Moses Rood. 



I do hereby certify that the soldiers here named belong to my Company. 

Paul Langdon. 



RoxBUEY Camp Nov. 27, 1775. 
To the Committee of Cloathing at Watertown AVe the Subscribers Soldiers in 
Capt Paul Langdon's Company and in Col Timothy Danielsons Reg Desire you 
to Deliver to Each one of us a Coat 

Solomon Cooley, Charles Cooley, 

Ichabod Beckwirth, John Johnson, 

and this Receipt Shall lie your Discharge 

Per Paul Langdon Capt 



236 

WiLBRAHAM Jan. 19, 1776. 
To the Committee of Cloathing Gentlemen this may Scrtify that Edward Col- 
ton Jonathan Sikes, Reuben Shayler and Phenuel "Warner ware in my Company 
and have not Rec'^ their coats. 

Paul Langdon, Capt. 

The following are the only letters of Revolutionary Correspondence 
whicb I have been able to obtain : — 

RoxBURY Camp July y^ 24"> 1775 

Dear wife these Comes with my tender affection to you hoping they will find 
you all well 

through the great goodness of almighty God I am in a good Steat of helth for 
which I disier to be thank''"'^ their was a man Shot through the breast with a 
muskit ball and Expierd that night it was Joseph wood that livd with mr Brown 
last Summer he was Shot last thursday night \ last thursday a Party of our men 
with their whale Boats went to the light house and burnt it tuck five prisenors one 
boat and burnt another tuck two S^vevels guns they broke of the lamps two barrels 
of power two of oyl without the loss of a man their is a great deal of news in the 
Camp* but I cant write more I Sec maj'' Bliss he told me you ware well 
I should be glad to have a pair of white linnen breach<=s my old Sockens are wore 
out almost I would have you hier Som help to do your haying and harvest and do 
as well as you can and the Lord bless you all 

my love to my dear Children John & James lie good boys and be kind to your 
mother no more but I remain your most affectionate Husband. John Langdon 

my duty to my hon"! mother & al friends in heast 

RoxBURY Camp July 31<» 1775 
Dear wife these may inform you that through the great goodness of almighty god 
I am in a good State of helth and I Hope that you enjoy the Like Blissing I 
Rec"^ your letter dated July 24"^ which I Rec<l Very gladly whereen you told me 
you had done haying «& reping the wheat for which I am glad to hear but Desicr 
to be humble under the frowns of Divine Providence in Cuting Short our Crops of 
grain but let us be thankfull that we injoy So many Blissings, while god's judg- 
ments are abroad in the land and notwithstanding our God Provoking Sins that 
abound in our Camp and Else where let us be Still and Know that the Lord Reigns 
and wach and pray lest we Enter in to temptation. Last night their was a regular 
Came from Boston he Says that he Swam out he Brought out one gun two Catrige 
Boxes he has gone '° head Quarters at Cambridge he Says they are Very Sickly 
at Boston & farther Saj's not Last night we ware alarm"^ about one or two o clock 
at night their was a Very hot fireBctwenePutnums lins and the regulars and like- 
wise at Boston neck we went to our larum Post and the cannon play*^ and 
Booms flue Very Brisk one Came Clost by the meating house and another Jest 
be yond but None was hurt Save one man Slitly wounded with one of the Shels 
we hear this morning that they have Kild two Regulars and tuck their guns but 
the news is we have none kild nor wounded ! 

you desier'' me to a "^ '^' ^°" ''"""^ who was Sick in our company Eli Bebee and 
Daniel simons has ben Sick but are a geting better Nathaniel mials and Ephriem 
Dunham is at the hospatal we hope not dangerous we expect mials home to day 



237 



John Lang''"" is well & abner Chapin iSi ■»^''«" Jeriah and Daniel Swctlan^ are 
well moses Simons is well I want to Come home but when I dont know they will 
not give a furlow to any at Present but I would have you Carry on Business as 
well as you Can. 

While I am wrighting their is news Come that a partty of our men ,v " ^^ho went 
out Last night to light house Point they have taken twenty morions and five 
Torys and they Say 5 or six ware kild of the Enemy one of our men kild on the 
Spot and two or three wounded the account is Some Imparfect but pretty near 
true No more at Present but I Remain 
Your tender and most affectinate 
Husband til Death 

John Langdon 

Give my Duty to my Hon'^ Mother and my Dear Children Praying that God 
would Keep you from Sin and be obedient from your Loving father 

John Langdon 
Capt Langdon is well & Desiers to be Eememb'' to his family and all friends 



S. p. 117. 



SERVICE AT TICONBEHOGA. 
From " Various Service, 9.3S-11~9." 

A Pay roll of Capt Daniel CadweU's Company in Col" Tim" Robinson's Detachment 
of Militia From the State of Massachusetts Pay For Services done the United States 
of America at Ticonderoga From Dec. 5, 1776 To April 2'^ 1777 Included dated at 
Springfield May 27'^ 1777 for the Bounty and two pence a mile More allowed by the 
State. 



Daniel Cadwell, Capt. 
Daniel Parsons, 1«« L'. 
Robert McMaster, 2-^ L*. 
John Colton, Sr. 
Joseph Abbott, 
John McKlewain, Sr. 
Stephen Wright, " 
Medad Stebbins, Cor. 
Abner Warriner, " 
Aaron Colton, " 

Joseph Colton, " 



Judah Moore, Dr. 
William Colton Fifer, 
Luther Bliss, 
Ebcnezer Bebee, ' 
Steward Bebee, 
Zadock Bebee, ' 
Jesse Carpendcr, 
Asa Chaffee, 
Amos Chaffee, 
John Hancock, 
Jabez Hancock, 



John Hitchcock, 
Isaac Morris, 
Moses Stebbins, 
James Shaw, 
Samuel Warner, 
■Daniel Chapin, 
Judah Chapin, 
Jesse Lampheare, 
John Stebbins, 
Pci'cz Hitchcock. 



180 miles travel £7. 7s. bounty 99 Days Service Wages per month 60s. 



238 



BENNINGTON ALARM, 1777. 
From " Various Service, 1986-2160." 
Capt. James Shaw's Coinpany detatched for the Reg* whereof Charles Pynchon Esq 
is Col° and ordered to join Gen. Gates army for thirty days Unless sooner Dis- 
charged. 

Each man Entered Sept. 24. Discharged October 18. Miles traveled home 140 
— mileage at Id per mile, lis 8; Days in Service 32 — wages for Continental Pay, 
Capt £12. 16s, Lieuts. Each £8. 12, 9, Serjents £2. 10, Privates £2. 7. 



James Shaw, Capt. 
Joseph Sexton, Serg*. 
Charles Ferry, Sergt. 
Gad Lamb, Do. 

Gains Brewer, " 
Josiah Cooley, Cor^ 
Aaron Chan well. Do. 

Abenor Chapin, Do. 

Medad Stebbins, do. 
Calvin Stebbins, jf?/er, 
Gordin Percival, Private, 
Samuel F. Merrick, Do. 
Edward Colton, 
Jon" Leech, 
Jon'' Merrick, 
Luther Hitchcock, 
Benj. Howard, 



Solomon Loomis, 
Geo. Cooley, 
Nath^ Warner, 
David Bliss, 
Asa Jones, 
Solomon Wamner, 
Phinehas Hitchcock, 
Comfort Chafee, 
Timothy Worthington, 
Daniel Sweetland, 
Solomon Lothrop, 
Oliver 'K.mg{Lieut.) 
Jabin Ja[bez] Cooley, 
David Wood 
John Charterton, 
Luther Cooley, 
Reuben Warriner, 
— ^Israel Chapin, Lieut. 



John Colton, 
Lem' Whitney, 
Elijah Parsons, 
Judah Ely, 
John Langdon, 
Edward Morris, 
Jesse Lamphere. 
Aaron Stebbins, 
Judah Willey, 
Isaac Morris, 
David White, 
Matthew Keep, 
Asa Simonds, 
Aaron Howard, 
Zadock Stebbins, 
Noah Stebbins, Lieut. 
Eben'' Colton, Lieut. 



T. 



121. 



JOURNAL OF SAMUEL F. MERRICK, M.D., ON THE EXPEDITION OF THE 
WILBRAHAM COMPANY AT THE "BENNINGTON ALARM." i 

1777. Sept. 29. About two in the afternoon set out from home on an expedi- 
tion to the northern army, arrived at Springfield, tarried till night then dismissed 
then dismissed till to morning nine o clock, passed the river with Leut. King in 
order to lodge with imcle Merrick. 30 met according to order and after delib- 
erating till about four o clock we proceeded on our march. Leut. Iving returned 
to bring up the rear. Went to my uncles to lodge again the company proceeded 
forward. 

Oct. 1. about nine o clock set out, overtook the company at Peas, went in com- 
pany with them about four miles, put up at Crockers lodged at the next house. 

Oct. 2. Seargant Lamb and Brewer with Solomon Warriner & myself pro- 
ceeded forward in order to put out our horses, went as far as Lanesborough, after 
much difficulty got entertainment at One Powels near the middle of the town. 

3d. Turned to the Eastward Bush Meadow, after much difficulty got our horses 
put out at East Hoosuch at Major Eoger Rose where we lodged. 



1 Dr. Merrick was a private in the company. 



239 

4th. Took my horse in to Williamstown, sent him back to S-i Rose and marched 
on foot about four miles on the road to Bennington then turned to the left and 
went about six miles to one Co^ Plat. 

.5th. Sunday marched in about five miles of the way at 'lulls mills so called, 
lodged at one Tyashoke (?) 

6th. Set out in the morning and arrived there soon, found that our troops were 
all ordered up the Eiver, Ordered to encamp till further orders. In the afternoon 
heard canon briskly towards head quarter ; very anxious to hear the event. 

7. This day about four clock canon play very briskly followed with small 
arms & continued till dark, went upon guard this night. 

8. This moi-ning an express arrived from head quarters informing that Gen. 
Gates had caried sundry Redoubts & all the Encmys out lines and twas expected 
by the motions that they would retreat soon, likewise with orders for us to Press 
forward with all dispatch, accordingly half after twelve we marcht and travilled till 
sunset about twelve miles. 

9. Gen. Barly from IST. Hampshire lodged in the same house with us last night, 
two expresses arrived informing that the enemy were actually on the retreat, orders 
for us to make no delay in order to harass them upon their retreat, set out very 
early and arrived at Batter Hill before noon about three miles from Saratoga, a 
very rainy afternoon, soon after our arrival there was an alarm that the Enemy 
was upon us, but it proved to be false. 

10. Lodged in a corn house last night, about midnight there was another allarm 
hut this likewise Proved false. In the morning concluded to join Col. Porter, but 
before we did he marched down to the river, we followed on but was ordered more 
to the southward, which we obeyed and reconoitering the shore found a boat ashore 
which we were guarding when a number of others came floating down which we 
took, lodged here this night. 

11. Had a very xmcomfortable night having nothing but my great Coat to cover 
myself, in the morning ordered to come here till further orders, this day tooch 
sundry other boats. 

12. Continue still to guard the boats, the Enemy are now about a mile below 
the church, there has been a scattering fire ever since the retreat bgan and still 
continues nothing material hapening the army excepting Gen. Gates sent in a 
flagg demanding a suiTcnder, but I have heard no answer. This morning Gen. 
Nickson made an attack upon the enemy but by mistake Gen. Learned who was to 
attack them in the west at the same time delayed about fifteen minutes after a severe 
fire a few minutes was obliged to retreat 

13. Nothing material 

14. Ordered that there be a cessation of arms till sun set. Sundry flaggs pass- 
ing back and forth, in the evening reported that Gen. Burgoine had agreed to re- 
sign himself and army Prisoners of war, to march out to moiTOW morning. 

15. Went over to Saratoga in expectation of seeing the Enemy march out, and 
after waiting the whole day was obliged to return without having my expectations 
answered but with great confidence reported that the stipulation was actually 
signed and that it was to take place to moiTOW. 

16. Waiting to see the army march out but by some reason or other is delayed, 
towards evening heard that it was put off till tomorrow. 

17. A day never to he forgotten by the American States. About Eleven clock 



240 

A. M. Gen. Burgoine with a number of Other officers rode out, escorted by sundry 
officers of the Continental army and a little south of the church was met by Gen. 
Gates, and after a polite compliment proceeded to head quarters ; about two the 
army began to march out. I taried till after four when I returned. They had not 
all then marched out, but I believe nearly, the number can by no means ascertain 
but should be inclined to think between five and six thousand but I am by no 
means a competent judge, tho' I had a good view of them. The Lord be praised 
for this wonderful! token of divine favor for which we cannot be sufficiently 
thankfull." 

I have also obtained the Journal which Dr. Merrick kept when he was 
surgeon in Col. Porter's Regiment, which marched 1776, the year before 
the " Bennington Alarm," to reinforce the " Northern Army," then 
pressing into Canada, and a portion of it besieging Quebec. The " Jour- 
nal " commences " May 1." The doctor left home April 22, as I judge 
from his " Account of Expences," — for the fii'st leaf of the Journal is 
nearly destroyed, — and continues to "Sept. 16." The Journal ends 
with the commencement of his journey home. It contains thirteen closely- 
written leaves or twenty-six pages. As there were no other Wilbraham 
soldiers, as I can learn, in this regiment, I have not thought it best to 
attempt any abstract of the Journal for this Appendix. 

A few items from his account of " Sundries carried into Canada," 
dated "April 19, 1776," may not be out of place. The upper corner of 
the leaf has been burnt off : — 

" Holland, & fine home spun shirts; pr of yarn, two of worsted 

of cotton stockings ; Handkerchiefs, lost ; Neck bands, three pr 

shoes, a Bear skin Coat, Blue Vest, Black Do., Blue Breaches, Leather Do. ; a pr 
Black trowses, a & Baise Gown ; One Black ; one 

black neck Band ; one pr Boots ; one Great Coat ; one pr of woolen gloves ; One 
pr Leather Do. ; one towel ; one sword ; one Baise under waistcoat ; Allso one 
Case of Instruments, A pipe syringe, a pr Tooth Drawers." 

"An account of Medicines caried with me to Canada," follows : — 

"Viz: Elix Camph Is; Hiera Piira, Is, 6d; Pulv Red Rhei 2s. 6d ; Pulv 
Jalep, 2s; Pulv. Ipeca. Is; Tart Emet, Is; one Vial, 4d; Pill Cathart. 3s; Pill 
Artehemood (?) Is. 6d." Total " 13s. lOd." 



The following men did service at such times and places as are recorded 
below : — ^ 

EIGHT months' SERVICE. 

"Levi Bannister, of Willboroughham," was a fifer in Capt. Malcom 

* Furnished by Alanson Hawley, Esq., in the ofHce of the Secretary of State. 



241 

Henry's company, Col. David Brewer's regiment. He afterwards en- 
listed into the Continental Army for three years, and served as a drum- 
mer in Capt Colton's Company, Colonel Greaton's Regiment, from 
January 1, 1777, to March 1, 1779, when he deserted. He returned to 
duty, however, in July 1780, and served as a private from July 20th to 
the close of the year. 

Daniel Colton was a private in Capt. Isaac Colton's company. Col. 
David Brewer's regiment. Luther King was a fifer, and Paul Newton 
and Solomon King were privates in the same company. Solomon King 
died in the service, September 28, 1775. 

In " a list of men drafted for 9 months' service from the time of their 
arrival at Fishkill : Also for 8 months, to complete a former deficiency," 
in 1778, I find the following : — 

NINE MONTHS. 

" Wilberham." 

1. Lewis Landgdon, .3. Moses Albert, 5. Joseph Cutt, 

2. John Colkins, 4. John Russell, 6. Zadoc Benton, 

7. John Huntlej'. 

Brig. Gen. J. Glover acknowledges the arrival of Joseph Cutt and 
Zadoc Benton, with 52 others, at Fort Arnold, July 10, 1778. 

Moses Albert, it seems, did not pass muster in consequence of having 
lost half of one of his feet ; and Joseph Cutt, be it recorded, was a 
negro. 

The eight months' men were Samuel Calking and Jonathan Policy, 
who arrived at Fishkill June 15, and were attached to Greaton's 
regiment. 

The following are the names of " Six Months' Soldiers belonging to the 
town of Wilbraham, that served in the Continental Army of the United 
States of America in the year 1780." 

David Allin, Ebenezer Thomas, Joseph Bumpsted, 

Daniel Mason, Gad Warriner, Zenas Cone, 

John James Sikes, John White, Gains Stebbins, 

Reuben Abbott, Isaiah Chaffee, Stephen Simons, 

Ethan Smith, Titus Ammidown, Kittridgc Davis, 

Seth Warner, Henry Wright, Emmons Lillie. 
John Orcutt, 

These men went into service as follows : Emmons Lillie, John J. 
Sikes, Daniel Mason, Seth Warner, Gad Warriner, Ebenezer Thomas, 

31 



242 

Ethan Smith, and Reuben Abbott, arrived at Springfield July 3, and 
marched thence on the same day, under Lieut. Daniel Frye, of the Ar- 
tificers' Corps, to join the army. John White, Titus Ammidown, and 
Isaiah Chaffee arrived there two days later, and marched under command 
of Lieut. Taylor, of the Second Massachusetts Regiment. Joseph Bump 
(Bumpstead ? ), Gains Stebbins, Kittridge Davis, Zenas Cone, and 
Stephen Simonds arrived July 18, and David AUin and John Orcutt still 
later. David Allin deserted finally. 

CONTINENTAL ARMY. 

Jonas Banton enlisted into the Continental Array for three years, and 
served as a private in " the late Capt. Colton's Company," Col. Greaton's 
Regiment, from January 1, 1777, to January 23, 1778, when he was re- 
ported to have deserted. I judge that the report did him injustice, how- 
ever, inasmuch as afterwards, by virtue of a certificate from one Dr. Foster, 
he was not only paid for nine months and seven days' service, from 
January 23, aforesaid, but was also allowed five pounds and fifteen shil- 
lings for " delay and interest." 

Nathaniel Hitchcock enlisted into the Continental Army for three years, 
and is credited for service as a private in Major Ball's company. Col. 
Sheppard's regiment, from February 25, 1777, to December 31, 1780, 
although the account of his service bears the following qualifying memo- 
randum : " Never present with the regiment since 1777." 

Samuel Lyon enlisted for three years, and served as a private in the 
second company. Col. Marshall's regiment, from March 9, 1777, to the 
day of his death, July 23, 1778. 

John Raymont enlisted for three years, and served his full time, from 
March 1, 1777, a part of the time serving as corporal. 

Asa Wood worth, enlisted "for the war," and served as a private in the 
third company, Capt. Warner's, in Col. Brooks's regiment, from May 5, 
1778, to December 31, 1780. 

Peleg Burdick enlisted for three years, and served as a private in Capt. 
Sizer's company. Col. Baldwin's regiment, from March 13, 1778, to Sept. 
30, 1779, when he deserted. 

Phineas Mason enlisted for three years, and served as a private in the 
same company from March 12, 1778, to Nov. 16, 1779, when he, too, de- 
serted. 

The following Wilbrahara men served at some time under Capt. John 
Carpenter : — 

Nathan Ainsworth, Jotliam Carpenter, Chester Morris, 



243 

John Ammidown, Philip Lyon, Johnson Richardson, 

Isaiah Chaffee, Josiah Langdon, James Richardson. 

Reuben Cai-penter, 

The following served under Capt. Abel King, Col. Ashley's regi- 
ment : — 

Jesse Elwell, Jabez Percival, John White, 

Eliphalet Hodges, Johnson Richardson, Francis West. 

The following under Capt, J. C. or J. L. Woodbridge, Col. Tyler's 
regiment : — 

Cresar Mirrick, a negro, Gains Stebbins, Oliver Sexton. 

The following under Capt. Joseph Browning, Col. Seth Murray's reo^- 
iment : — 

Asa Hill, John Thwing. 

Israel Conant, of Wilbraham, served as a private in Capt. Cooper's 
company, Col. Bradford's Regiment. 

In Capt. Reuben Munn's company, Col. Nathan Dyke's regiment, on 
service in Boston and vicinity, in 1776, I find the names of the following 
Wilbraham men : — 

Daniel Bliss, Sergeant, James Eddy, Aaron Hitchcock, 

Zadock Stebbins, Corporal, John Russell, Gamaliel Dunham. 

Jos. Bumpstead, Drummer, Peleg Burdick, 

Capt. Munn was from Monson. I find one roll of the company dated 
Roxbury, Sept. 17, 1776, with a memorandum indicating that the compa- 
ny had then beeri in service three months, and another dated Boston, 
Nov. 26. 



SOLDIERS WHO DIED OB WERE KILLED IN THE REVOLUTIONARY 

WAR. 

Benjamin Chob, 1775. Malam Dunham, Roxbury, 1776- 

Solomon King, " Joseph Butler, " 

Nathaniel Miles, Army of Canada, 1776. Daniel Warriner, Albany, 1777. 

Phanuel Warner, " " " Capt. Dan. Cadwell, North'n Army, " 

George Mirick, " " " Serj. Joseph Abbott, " " " 

Aaron Bliss, " " " Samuel Lyon, 1778. 

Joseph Morris, Ticonderoga. " Moses Simons, White Plains, 1780. 

Benjamin Russell, " " John Chaffee, near Little Falls, " 

Josiah Wright, " Luther Ainsworth, " " " 

Joshua Leach, " Isaac Skinner, by Indians, " 

In all, 20. Killed in battle, 4. Died by disease, 16. 



244 



REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS. 

Ezra Barton, 
Henry Wright, 
Levi Thayer, 
Samuel F. Mirric 
Asaph King, 
Capt. Shield, 

Walbridge, 

Lewis, 

Samuel Lyman, 
Robert Sessions, 

As near as I can judge, there were about three hundred Wilbraham 
men in the Revolutionary war. The number cannot be determined pre- 
cisely. 



. $30.00] 


3er year. 


David Stebbins, 


. 24.00 per year 


. 96.00 




Samuel Chapin, 


. 24.00 " 


. 96.00 




Stephen Merril, 


. 24.00 " 


;k, . 246.66 




Learned, 


. 96.00 " 


. 180.00 




Chaffee, 


. 24.00 " 


. 120.00 




Reuben HitchcocK 


. 24.00 " 


. 80.00 




John Hamlin, 


. 96.00 " 


. 96.00 




Charles Cooley, 


. 36.00 " 


. 33.33 
. 48.00 






$1,373.99 



XJ. p. 124. 

SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOLDIERS' BOUNTY. 



Mr. Sam". Warner $50 

Lt. Eben., Russel 40 

Mr. Eleazer Smith (J 

Col. John Bliss 45 

Mr. Latham Burdiclc 7 

Lt. John Hitchcock 55 

Mr. Rowland Crocker 20 

Capt. Abel King 40 

Sergt Philip Lion 40 

Mr. Wm. Stacy 14 

]Mr. John Williams 38 

Mr. Ezekiel Russel 30 

Lt. Noah Stebbins 17 

Lt. Gideon Kibbe 10 

Mr. John Firmin 7 



Serg' Daniel Cadwell 30 

Mr. Moses Stebbins 39 

Lt. Thomas King .30 

Mr. Lewis Langdon 20 

Moses Stebbins, Jr s 

William Brewer 20 

Lt. Jesse Warner 50 

Serg't Gideon Burt 10 

Capt. Paul Langdon 40 

Joshua Edy 30 

Mr. Joel Chaffee 7 

Serg't John Langdon 20 

Lt. William King 6, 

Gains Brewer 30 

Mr. Comfort Chaffee 6 



Serg't David Bliss 20 

Jonathan Bliss 20 

Benoni Atkinson, Jr 20 

William King, Jr 50 

Mr. Asa Chaffee 10 

Moses Burt, Jr 20 

David Warriner, Jr 32 

Chileab B. Merrick 30 

Thomas Maxon 30 

Noah Warriner 20 

John Glover 30 

Mr. David Bui-t 50 

Doct. Sam. F. Mlrick .30 



Attest, 



NOAH WARRINER, 

, Town Clerk. 



A^. p. 127. 

DEPRECIATION OF CURRENCY DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

The following table is taken from Hon. David Wilder's History of the 
town of Leominster, in this State, and gives in a compact form a very cor- 
rect view of the value, or worthlessness rather, of paper money at that 
time : — 



SCALE OF DEPRECIATION. 



Agreeable to an Act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to be observed as a 
Rule for settling the rate on contracts made since Jan. 1, 1777, $1 in gold and sil- 



245 



ver, Jan. 1 
States. 

January, . 
February, 
March, 



January, 

Februaiy, 

March, 



January, 

February, 

March, 



1777, being equal to $1.05 in the Bills of the credit of the United 



1777. 



$1.05 
1.07 
1.09 



3.25 
3.50 
3.75 



7.42 

8.68 

10.00 



April, 

May, 

June, 



April, 

May, 

June, 



April, 

May, 

June, 



51.12 
1.15 
1.20 



July, . . 
August, . 
September, 

1778. 



$1.25 
1.50 
1.75 



October, . 
November, 
December, 



4.00 
4.00 
4.00 



July, . . 
August, . 
September, 



4.25 1 October, . 
4.50 November, 
4.75 1 December, 



$2.75 
3.00 
3.10 



5.00 
5.45 
6.34 



1779. 



11.04 
12.15 
13.42 



July, . . 
August, . 
September, 



14.77 
16.30 
18.00 



October, . . 20.30 
November, . 23.08 
December, . 25.93 



January, . . 29.34 j February, 



1780. 
33.22 1 March, 



37.36 1 April, 



40.00 



From April 1st to 20th, 1780, one Spanish milled dollar was equal to forty of the 
old emission. 

$74 



April 25, 


. $42 


May 20, . 


. $54 


June 20, . 


. $69 


Nov. 


30, . 


" 30, 


. 44 


" 25, . 


. 60 


Aug. 15, . 


. 70 




1781 


May 5, 


. 46 


" .30, . 


. 62 


Sept. 10, . 


. 71 


Feb. 


27, 


" 10, 


. 47 


June 10, . 


. 64 


Oct. 15, . 


. 72 






" 15, 


.. 49 


" 15, . 


. 68 


Nov. 10, . 


. 73 







A new emission of paper was now made. Its value was as follows : — 

From February 27 to May 1, $1,37 1-2 to a silver dollar. 
" May 1 " " 25, 2.25 

" 25 " June 15, 3.00 

" June 15 " October 1, 4.00 " " 

It will be seen, at a glance, that the attempt to collect debts in silver 
wliicb were contracted in paper currency was calculated to provoke a re- 
bellion. A man who borrowed a hundred dollars must pay four thousand 
or lose his farm. The first emission became worthless after the issue of 
the second. A pound of the bills was not worth a pound of butter. 

My grandfather, Eldad Stebbins, was constable in 1776. There is a 
tradition preserved among the papers of Calvin Stebbins to this effect : — 
The depreciation of paper money was such that he, having lost an ox, 
took the town's money in his hands, and bought a pan- of oxen, for forty 
dollars, and before he was required to make his final settlement with the 
town treasurer, cider would sell for twelve dollars a mug, — three and one- 
third mugs of cider would pay, did pay, for the oxen. 



246 



I recollect hearing the late Samuel Chapin say that rye sold for $700 
a bushel. 



AV. p. 132. 

SHAYS' REBELLION. 



It is reported that there were a few Wilbraham men in the mob of 
Shays. There were many of our men with Gen. Shepard. Nine Chaf- 
fees are said to have answered to the roll-call of Shepard's army, on the 
morning of the battle. As their names were called in succession, it 
caused no little amusement. "Asa Chaffee, Asa Chaffee, Jr., Comfort 
Chaffee, Comfort Chaffee, Jr.," etc. 



X. p. 134. 

NAMES OF MEN IN THE WAR OF 1812, FOR SEVEN MONTHS. 
Ralph Bennett. Eleazar HitchfOfk. Phineas Buit. 



Stephen Cadwell. 
Joel M. Lyman. 



Robert Sessions. 



Solomon Jones. 



"\^. p. 138. 

SOLDIERS IN THE PRESENT WAR. Page 135. 

Wilbraham, Oct.' 20, 1863. 
To Rev. R. P. Stebbins, D. D. 

Dear Sir : Your note of yesterday came to hand this morning, and I hasten 
to say, in answer to your inquiry, that this town has sent of volunteers to the war 
of three years and nine months' men, 142 men, as follows : — 



10th Regiment 

From No. 13 to 26th Regiment 

27 th Regiment 

31st " ... 

34th " ... 

37th " ... 

Other regiments to 45th, and in the Connecticut 

Rhode Island, and New York Regiments 
The nine months' men, 46th Regiment 



14 
7 

30 

10 
1 

31 

19 
28 



140 



247 

There have been some enlistments in the h\te regiments " Heavy Artillery " and 
" Veteran Service," the number of which I cannot give, but probably from 12 to 
15. The draft called out fifty-six men. 

Exempted . 31 

Paid Commutation 12 

Gone to Service 2 

Had enlisted previous to the Draft ... 2 

The case of seven has not been reported in a way that I have been able to get 
the facts at present. No three months' men went that I am now aware of. Of 
the number of volunteers two were wounded ; one died from the effects, and one 
recovered. Four have died of disease in the camps ; one, 2d Lieut. C. W. Good- 
ale, student of the academy, in the 27th Regiment. No casualties have happened 
to' our men beyond what I have stated, that I know of. Some of the regiments 
have been in severe service. The 10th, for instance, at Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, 
etc. ; the 27th at Newbern and vicinity. But they seem to be strong men, mostly, 
and some of them are of the best class of soldiers. 

Respectfully yours, 

J. M. MERRICK. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 
NORTH WILBRAHAM, MASS. 

BY REV. NATHANIEL FELLOWS. 

The data for the early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of North 
Wilbraham are very meagre; and the statements given below may not in all 
respects be exactly accurate, as they have been necessarily drawn from tradition 
rather than documentary sources. 

In 1791, the Methodist preachers on Hartford circuit visited the South Parish 
once in two weeks and held meetings in the school-house. Sometime during this 
year, Charles Brewer heard one of them, Menzies Raynor, preach. He was deeply 
interested,' and invited him to visit the North Parish and preach there. He con- 
sented to do so the next time he came round the circuit, on condition that Mr. 
Brewer and others would protect him and his colleague, Lemuel Smith, in case 
any violence should be offered them. 

Two weeks later, Lemuel Smith preached the first Methodist sermon in the North 
Parish. The house of Charles Brewer became the home of the itinerant preach- 
ers, and the place of worship for the Methodists. For two years, there was preach- 
ing at his house once in two weeks. 

Charles Brewer, Abel Bliss, Silas Bliss, and Mrs. Solomon Wan-iner were 
among those who first joined the Methodist class. Abel Bliss, Jr., joined soon, if 
not at first, and continued an active and influential member till his decease. In 
the year 179.3, the first meeting-house was raised and covered, but not finished till 
many years afterwards. During these years, it was only furnished with rough slab 
seats. 

In Bishop Asbury's Journal, under the date of Sunday, Aug. 17th, 1794, there 
is the following entiy : " I came to the new chapel at Wilbraham, forty by thirty- 



248 

four feet, neatly designed. I was unwell, and under heaviness of mind ; I preached 
to about four hundred people, who were very attentive, but appeared to be very 
little moved. The "standing order" have moved their house into the street 
not far from ours, and they think and say they can make the Methodist people pay 
them; but I presume in this they are mistaken." 

On the 4th of September, 1794, the New England Conference, consisting then 
of about a dozen members, convened in the new chapel. The conference, thoiigh 
small, had mighty men in its ranks. Jesse Lee, Geo. Roberts, Wilson Lee, Dan- 
iel Ostrander, Geo. Pickering, Enoch Mudge, Joshua Taylor, and Joshua Hall 
were there ; men whose influence on the churches of New England can never be 
elFaced, and ought never to be forgotten. Francis Asbury presided. 'Saturday 
was the great day of the feast. The three principal men of the occasion, Asbuiy, 
Roberts, and Jesse Lee, preached with power to the multitude that thronged to 
hear them. 

The New England Conference again held its session in this church, in the year 
1797. 

We can learn nothing farther of special interest in the history of this church 
till 1814, when a camp-meeting was held in this parish. The following year 
another was held. These meetings were a great blessing to the church. Its 
members were quickened in spiritual life, a large accession made to its numbers, 
and the attention of the community aroused and called to the subject of religion. 
Inspirited by this influence, they immediately raised money enough, not only to 
finish the church in comfortable style, but had about three hundred dollars remain- 
ing in the treasury. At this time, a stove was procured for warming the house. 
This was a great innovation on the customs of the age ; and not till a number of 
years afterwards did any other church in town follow this example. 

The first corporate meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Society was organized 
under a warrant issued by Wm. Knight, Esq., of Wilbraham, at the petition of 
Abraham Avery and ten others, and was held in the Methodist meeting-house, 
Aug. 29th, 1832. 

In September, 1833, A. Avery circulated a subscription paper among the mem- 
bers of the society, for the purpose of taking stock in shares of fifty dollars each, 
to build a new meeting-house. Thirty-three shares having been taken, it was 
agreed to proceed to build a house forty-two by sixty feet, with a tower. The 
society voted to purchase slips to the amount of its funds, some three hundred 
dollars. William Farnham was the builder, after a plan furnished by Rev. John 
Lindsey, of Boston. The cost of the house was limited to three thousand dollars, 
except for the steps, bell, and some outside expenses. And the house cost within 
the limit. It was, by the contract, to have been finished by the 20th of October, 
1834 ; but was not completed till May, of the following year. It was dedicated by 
the Rev. Dr. Eisk, about the 19th of May, 1835, and remains a comfortable place 
of worship to the present day. In May, 1850, an organ, costing four hundred 
dollars, was put into the chuixh at the expense of three individuals. 

This church has a membership, at the present time, of one hundred and fifty- 
seven, thirty-three of whom are students connected with the academy. 

Till the year 1823 this church formed a part of the old Tolland Circuit; since 
that time it has usually been a station by itself. While it was a part of the circuit, 



249 

or since it became a station, the following persons have been appointed to preach 
in its pulpit, and in the order and at the time given below : — 

1791, Menzles Raynor; 1791 and 4, Lemuel Smith; 1792, Hope Hull, F. Aldriclge; 1793 
and 4, George Pickering; 1793, Joshua Hall; 1795, Nicholas Snethen, Christopher Spry, 
1790, Even Rogers, Thomas Coope; 1797 and 8, Lawrence McCombs; 1799, Daniel Ostran- 
der; 1800, Abuer Wood; 1801, Henry Eames; 1801 and 3, Augustus Jocelyn; 1802 and 3, 
Elijah Batehelor; 1802, Alexander McLane; 1804, John Gove; 1805, Noble W.Thomas; 
1800, Benjamin Hill, John Tinkham, Theophilus Smith ; 1807, Hollis Sampson, G. R. Norris ; 
1808, B. F. Lombard; 1809, B. P. Hill, William Hinman; 1810, Joel Steel, Samuel Cutler; 
1811, Philip Munger, Robert Arnold; 1812, Elias Marble, Thomas Tucker; 1813 and 31, 
Edward Hyde; 1813 and 17, Benjamin Sabin; 1814, Joel Winch, Job Pratt; 1815, William 
Marsh, Orin Roberts; 1810 and 17, Salmon Winchester, Nathan Paine; 1818 and 19, Leon- 
ard Bennett; 1818, Hezekiah Davis; 1819, Francis Dane; 1820 and 21,Ebenezer Blake; 
1821, Daniel Dorchester; 1822, Joel W. M'Kee, Allen Barnes; 1823, 4 and 8, Phincas Peck ; 
1825 and 0, Isaac Jennison; 1827, Dr. Wilbur Fisk; 1828, J. Foster; 1829, A. Waitt; 1830, 
Samuel Davis; 1832, T. W. Tucker; 1833, N. B. Spaulding; 1834 and 5, Reuben Ransom; 
1836, James Porter; 1837, '38 and 9, William Givesey; 1840, Shipley W. Wilson ; 1841 and 
2, Charles Adams; 1843 and 4, Nelson E. Cobleigh; 1845, F. Nutting; 1840 and 7,H. y. 
Degen; 1848, Charles Baker; 1849 and 50, Z. H. Mudge; 1851 and 2, Stephen Gushing: 
1853 and 4, Gilbert Haven; 1855 and 6, Chester Field; 1857, H. P.Andrews; 1858 and 
9, W. F. Warren ; 1860, Lorenzo White; 18G1, George Prentice; 1802 and 3, Nathaniel 
Fellows. 



PETITION FOR METHODIST SOCIETY IN WILBRAHAM. 

COMMONWEALTH OP MASSACHUSETTS. 

To the Hon^i Senate and House of Eepresentatives in General Court assembled 
in Boston, on the fourteenth Day of January, in the year of our Lord Seventeen 
hundred and ninety-five. 

Humbly Show the inhabitants of the Town of Wilbraham, in the County of 
Hampshire, that, Your Petitioners are of the Denomination of Christians called 
Methodists, and are conscientiously of the persuasion; and are of Sufficient num- 
ber and Ability to support a Teacher, and defray the Expenses of upholding puli- 
lie Worship among themselves ; they therefore pray that they may be admitted to 
the Rights and Benefits of the Constitution in this Respect ; that they, and such 
others as may hereafter join them, in such manner as shall be prescribed by Law, 
may be incorporated into a Parish, by the Name of the Methodist Parish in Wil- 
braham, and be invested with the Powers, Privileges, and Rights which by the 
Law and Constitution of this Commonwealth, Parishes ought to have and enjoy. 
And as in Duty bound shall pray. 

Lemuel Smith, Elder in the Robert Coffin. 

Methodist Church. Justice Stebbins. 

Abel Bliss. Asa Jones. 

Charles Brewer. Ezra Barker, Jr. 

Silas Bliss. Matthew Grover. 

. Ephraim Puller. Aaron Frost. 

Gaius Brewer. Erederick Stebbins. 

John Russell. Abner S. Brewer. 

Augustus Sisson. Joseph Abbot. 

Phineas Stebbins. Anson Brewer. 

Moses K. Bartlet. C^sak Tylek. 



250 

Ethan Warriner. Abner Chapin. 

Solomon Warriner, Jr. William Siveelser? Brewer. 

Elijah Stebbins. Elisiia Walden. 

Cyrus Stebbins. John Loud. 

Walter Stebbins. Thomas Howard. 

James Hammond. Timothy Stebbins. 

Abel Bliss, Jr. 

This Petition was referred to the Committee on Parishes, which report- 
ed January 31, 1795, the usual order, notifying "the several parishes" 
in town, "that they appear and show cause, if any they have, why tlie 
prayer of said Petition should not be granted," at the first session of the 
next General Court, to be holden in May and June following. 

The South Parish made answer, June 12, 1795, by " John Bliss and 
Phinehas Stebbins, that the parish have made no objections against the 
prayer of the petition being granted." 

The North Parish, by their Committee, James Shaw, Pteuben Sikes, 
and Chileab B. Merrick, made an elaborate reply to the petition. They 
represent, that on the division of the town into two parishes, the meet- 
ing-house was one mile south of the centre of the parish, and that they 
could not persuade the owner to sell the central lot on which all were 
agreed ; that while they were waiting, the roof of the meeting house be- 
came so leaky as to render its use and preservation impossible, and that 
they permitted it to be new shingled at expense of individuals ; that 
this "exasperated the leading and principal part of your petitioners to a 
great degree ; they accordingly assembled and entered into a solemn 
written agreement to separate from the parish, be no longer connected 
with them, and formed themselves into a distinct society, as they termed 
it ; the next Sabbath they went in a body, headed by one of the principal 
Baptists in the parish, to the Baptist meeting ; they fell off gradually, and 
at length all left that meeting ; at this time not one of them had ever 
heard a Methodist preacher ; but the preachers of that order, ever willing 
to fish in muddy water, came among them ; they swallowed the bait, and 
are now as they say conscientious Methodists ; " that soon after, a num- 
ber of the principal inhabitants of said parish " met and invited the pe- 
titioners to attend and give their reasons for their conduct ; that they came 
and said, that if we would dismiss our Minister (who by this time they 
had taken a dislike to) , and remove the Meeting-house they would give up 
all thoughts of a separation; but a contract had been made with the min- 
ister and could not be annulled without his consent ; yet they would re- 
move the meeting-house just as soon as possible, " using all exertion with- 
in the bounds of reason." More than a year ago the selected spot was 



251 

obtained, a meeting-touse lias been built just where they wanted it, the 
minister has been dismissed at his request, mostly, as he said, on "ac- 
count of these people;" "yet they are as far from being satisfied as 
ever." The respondents also say that more than six of the petitioners are 
minors ; Cesar, the negro, is a transient person, already out of the State ; 
Lemuel Smith, who in the petition styles himself their elder, is not here 
but once a month, nor that much of the time ; and will not stay long 
probably ; Grrover has left the State ; two others wish they had not signed 
the petition ; so that there are only twenty-five of any weight. Their 
ability may be known by the portion they pay of the town tax : that tax 
is £136 Is. 2d. ; they pay £14 4s. 5d." They forbear to draw any in- 
ferences and leave the whole subject to the General Court. 

To this, the petitioners reply, June 6, 1795, by their Committee, Gaius 
Brewer, John Russel, and Ephraim Fuller, in substance as follows : 
' ' That shingling the meeting-house is but one cause ; they were forever 
opposed to the settlement of their minister, and threw in their objec- 
tions before his ordination, yet he was settled in spite of the remon- 
strance of twenty-seven persons ; they never consented to return but 
utterly refused to do so on any condition ; Nor did their minister ask 
a dismission on our account, but because his health was so poor that 
he could not continue ; nor is Lemuel Smith absent from us as they 
say, — his family is here, and when he is removed another minister will 
come. There are but five minor petitioners, and they are ' capable of 
choosing and practising the truth." No one wishes his name taken off. 
As nearly all of us are of the North Parish, it is not just to estimate our 
ability by the town tax ; the Parish tax for building the Meeting-House is 
£343, and we pay £90. We are not fickle, nor do oui- ministers " fish in 
muddy water." 

The Parish voted, February 14, 1794, that all who belonged to the 
Methodists should be exempt from taxes, but afterwards changed, and 
rated the Methodists to build their meeting-house, when they had their 
own to build and a minister to support. They submit their case, — 

" Not doubtmg but your Honors feel the spirit of republicanism, that 
liberty, civil and religious, might be established within the American 
shores." 



252 



PETITION OF NOAH STEBBINS AND OTHERS FOR INCORPORATION 
''INTO A PARISH OR RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, BY THE NAME OF THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL PARISH, IN THE TOWNS OF WILBRAHAM, 
SPRINGFIELD, AND LUDLOW." 

To the Honorable the Senate, & the Honorable the House of Representatives 
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled, in Boston, 
on the twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and five : — 

The Petition of the subscribers most humbly exhibits that they are of a persua- 
sion and denomination of Christians commonly called Methodists, belonging to the 
towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, «& Ludlow, in the County of Hampshire ; and 
that they are of suflBcient number & ability to support a teacher and defray the 
expenses of upholding publick worship among themselves. 

They therefore pray that they may be admitted to the rights and benefits of the 
Constitution in this respect, that they, and such others as may hereafter join them 
in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, may be incorporated into a parish or 
religious society by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious 
Society in the towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, & Ludlow, and be invested with 
the poAvers, privileges, & rights, which by the law & Constitution of this Com- 
monwealth parishes ought to have and enjoy. 

And as in duty shall pray 



Newel Cone, 
Matthew Cone, 
Ichabod Cone, 
John Langdon, 
Calvin Stebbins, 2d, 
Josiah Langdon, 
Noah Stebbins, 
Charles Brewer, 
Abel Bliss, Jr. 
Rowland Crocker, 
John Kneeland, 
Leonard Frost, 
Ezra Barker, 
Samuel Brewer, 
Gains Brewer, 
Gordon Chapel, 
John Brewer, 
Peter Wallridge, 
James Calkins, Jr., 
Eleazer Bishop, 
Joseph Bannister, 



Ahimaaz Willey, 
Charles Converse, 
Moses B. Bartlet, 
Charles Johnson, 
Russel Parker, 
Walter Langdon, 
Eldad Stebbins, 
Christopher Langdon, 
Walter Stebbins, 
Reuben Hcndrick, 
Abner Chapin, 
Jonah Beebe, -/ ' 
Benjamin Weaver, 
Sewall T. Mack, 
Elijah Jones, 
David Calkins, 
Fred. Stebbins, 
Noah Frost, 
Abel Bliss, 
Charles Brewer, Jr., 



Jona. Merrick, Jr., 
Zenas Parker, 
Luther Stebbins, 2d, 
Noah Stebbins, Jr., 
Stephen Stebbins, 
Sylvanus Stebbins, 
Luther Stebbins, 
Eldad Stebbins, Jr., 
Zadock Stebbins, 
William Brewer, Jr., 
James Calkins, 
David Cadwell, 
Nathan Mack, 
Ezra Goss, 

Phineas Stebbins, Jr., 
Elisha Shepard, 
Nathan Alvard, 
Steph. Cadwell, Jr., 
Benjamin Allen, 
Jonas Keyes. 
61. 



Committed to the Standing Committee on Parishes, May 30, 1805, by 
the House of Representatives. 



253 



In the same words another petition is presented at the same time, 
sio;ned as follows : — 



James Malvin, 
Samuel Frost, 
Eliphalet Green, 
Jonathan Benton. 
Stephen Pease, 
Jedediah Sawyer, 
Uriah Clough, 
Elijah Thacher, 
Uriah Clough, 
Daniel Swetland, 
William Butler, 
John Russel, 



Samuel Harris, 
Ephraim Fuller, Jr., 
Samuel Frost, Jr., 
David Orcutt, 
Silas Holton, 
Joseph Webster, 
John Clough, 
Anthony Slaster, 
Stephen Howard, 
Ephraim Fuller, 
Reuben Frost, 



Elias Frost, 
Elkanah Tenney, 
Lemuel Parsons, 
John Paulls, Jr., 
John Charter, 
William Carlile, 
David Slaster, 
David Stebbins, 
Gideon Hunn, 
Chester Wakefield, 
Anson Craw 
24. 



Wilbraham, 59 ; Springfield, 25 ; Ludlow, 8. 

On the ' ' Petition of Noah Stebbins and others and Stephen Howard 
and others, Inhabitants of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, praying 
that they may be incorporated into a religious Society, by the name of the 
Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious Society in the towns of Wilbra- 
ham, Springfield, and Ludlow," it is 

Ordered, that the Petitioners cause attested copies of their Petitions, with this 
order thereon, to be served on the respective Town Clerks of the said towns of 
Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, and on the several Parish Clerks within the 
said towns, thirty days at least before the second Wednesday of the first session of 
the next General Court, that all concerned may then appear, and shew cause (if 
any they have) Avhy the prayer of said Petitioners should not be granted. 
In Senate, February 22, 1806. 
Bead and accepted. 

Sent down for concurrence, 

H. G. OTIS, President. 
In the House of Representatives, February 24, 1806. 
Read and concurred, 

TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Speaker. 

A previous petition of Noah Stebbins and others only is ordered and 
referred in the same way, June 1 1th, 1 805 (except ' ' thhd instead of second 
Wednesday," and "next session" instead of "first session of next," 
&c.) 

The next autumn, forty-three of these petitioners renewed their petition, 
" notwithstanding there may be objections by Towns or Parishes." 

The North and South Parishes answered the notification of the petition 
in nearly the same words, as follows (omitting the formal introduc- 
tion) : — 



254 

" The clerk of the town has favored us with a writing purporting to be an order 
of your Ilojiors on the petition of Noah Stebbins and others, praying to be incorpo- 
rated into a religious society, also papers pui-porting to be Petitions of said Noah Steb- 
bins, Stephen Howard and others, but neither of said papers are attested by any person 
as coppies, so that we are wholly at a loss whether there be any such petitions pend- 
ing, and we know not the names of the petitioners except the two above mentioned. 
Indeed, the person who left the papers with the clerk said he would give the names 
of as many as he could remember, and gave about fifty. He soon after called and 
took said list away, so that we have not the names of the Petitioners but by the 
memory of the clerk, and his information was incomplet ; but a number have ap- 
peared and said that they signed said petition, but that they were deceived — that 
they had no idea of saying that they were Methodists, and wished to be incorporat. 
ed, but that they were willing that others, to wit, Methodists, might be. Upon the 
whole, we think there has been great unfairness in obtaining said Petitions, and in 
giving notice. We therefore pi'ay, if there is such a petition pending, your Honors 
would not grant the prayer thereof until we are regularly notified and have the 
names of the petitioners. 

"As in duty bound shall we pray." 

CniLEAB B. Merrick, i -^ u, r 

' y Committee jor 
Samuel F. Merrick, J ^^^.^^^ p^^..^j^ 

Philip Morgan, ' 

Robert Sessions, ^ Committee for 

Stewart Beebe, > South Parish 

Calvin Stebbins, ) of W'dhraham. 

la 1819, forty-two inhabitants of Wilbraliam, Palmer, and Monson, 
petitioned to be incorporated as ' ' The Third Religious Society in the town 
of Wilbraham," alleging that they were situated about four miles from the 
nearest place of public worship, and that they had twenty years since- formed 
themselves into a separate religious society, and erected a house of worship, 
and supported preaching almost constantly since that time ; but at length, 
finding it inconvenient to do so, in consequence of the want of an act of 
incorporation, granting to said society power to lay and collect a tax for 
that purpose. 

The act of incorporation was not passed, and it is hardly necessary to 
copy the names of the petitioners. They were, I suppose, the supporters 
of the Baptist Society in the North Village. 



Z. p. 142. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN SADDLE. 

The collectors found it very difficult at times to get the taxes of the 
heretics in town ; and no little cunning, as well as spunk, was sometimes 



255 

displayed in escaping payment. Abraham Avery was a prominent man 
in the town, a tanner and saddle and harness-maker ; a man of oreat en- 
ergy, indomitable persistency, pious and plucky to admiration ; from hair to 
heel a Methodist. He was cunning withal, and liked a practical joke, so 
be it was worthy of his religious profession. He owed a tax. He wouldn't 
pay it. The collector of the parish determined to have it. "Get it 
then," said Avery. Now Avery could make a good saddle, — one that the 
Queen's horse-guards would be proud of in finish, and whose strength 
would have carried any one of the sis hundred through the immortal charge 
of Inkermann. So, in his meditations, Avery determined to make a sad- 
dle to pay his tax withal. He selected the pieces of leather which best 
pleased the eye, and fitted them together as he well knew how, being a 
skilful worker in leather, and mounted it with shining metal, so that it was 
very tempting to look upon, like the forbidden fruit of Eden. Avery 
knew that the strength was not equal to the beauty thereof; but as it 
was not for sound doctrine he made it, so he delighted in correspond- 
ency. The collector came ; the shop had been cleared of most of the 
finished work besides, and when he cast his eye upon the saddle, he did 
covet it much for his taxes, and was much delighted when Avery declined 
to pay them. "I must take this nice saddle, then," said the publican. 
" Take it then," quoth Avery, gruffly. It was taken. Avery's face 
was sparkling all over with delight as the constable put the prize in his 
wagon and drove off. It was sold at auction and brought a great price, 
far above the amount of the tax ; for it was known that Avery's saddles 
were of the best. The constable offered the excess of the sale over the 
tax to Avery, but he would not take it. The constable tendered to him 
the balance in gold ; Avery said he would have nothing to do with it. 
The saddle was purchased by a man from Belchertown. He was tempted 
to try it early. It looked magnificently on his horse's back. He sprang 
upon it. Out came one stirrup ! down broke the seat ! out came the 
bridge ! ofF dropped the sides ! and he spake words of Avery and the 
saddle which were not lawful to be spoken, and should not be written. 
He- came to Avery in great wrath, and asked him if he did not warrant 
his saddles. "Certainly," said Avery. "Well, then," he replied, 
" look at this saddle." "Ah," said Avery, " that is the ' Presbyterian 
saddle,' I have nothing to do with that." And, with a relish of satisfac- 
tion, he again drew his strong waxed-end through the leather upon which 
he was at work, for he enjoyed hugely what had come to pass. 



256 
J^ A. p. 149; 

PREAMBLE TO THE VOTE INVITING MR. CALVIN COLTON, OF LONG- 
MEADOW, TO BECOME PASTOR. Page 142. 

" Whereas the controversies between Arminians, Calvinists, Unitarians, and 
Trinitarians have been productive of great evil in the world, and unless speedily 
prevented, are like to produce the same with us, and we know of no so feasible 
method to prevent it as for our public teachers, when speaking upon the points 
which distinguish those sects, to confine themselves to the language of Inspiration 
or not to speak upon them at all ; Whereas, Mr. Calvin Colton, of Longmeadow, 
whilst he has been with us, has in a good measure conformed himself to that rule, 
and hoping that he will increase moi-e and more in that and all other divine graces 
which directly tend to the harmony of the church, and the prosperity of Zion, 
Voted," &c. 

Words of golden wisdom, of which the world is not even yet worthy. 



MINISTERS IN THE NORTH PARISH AFTER REV. MR. BROWN. Page 143. 

John Hyde, Installed April 22, 1828 ; Dismissed October 20, 1831. 
Israel G. Rose, " April 18, 1832; " January 21,1835. 

John Bowers, " Dec. 13, 1837; " May 11, 1859". 

John P. Skeele, " Nov. 30, 1858. 



SETTLEMENT OF REV. MOSES WARREN. Page 145. 

At a legal meeting of the South Parish, April 18, 1773, Voted, to give Mr. 
Moses Warren, a call to settle, 55 to 7. 

Voted, to give one hundred and fifty pounds as settlement, — one hundred to be 
paid in one year, and fifty within two years from time of settlement, 45 to 10. 

Voted, as Salar}^ Seventy Pounds yearly, 46 to 11, and to find twenty -four cords 
of wood, 48 to 7. 

[I do not understand this vote giving ^70 salary, for there are but £58 14s. ever 
raised for it.] 

At a church meeting June 16, 1788, Voted to give Mr. Warren a call to settle, 
22 to 1. 

At a legal Parish meeting July 14, 1788, Voted to alter the vote of April 18th, 
respecting Mr. Warren's salary, so that one-half of it shall be paid in Wheat, Eye, 
Indian Corn, Oats, Wool, or Flax, at the current Market price. 

MK. warren's letter OF ACCEPTANCE. 

" T'o the Church and Socieli/ in the South Parish of Wilbrahnm. 
" Brethren and Friends : — 

" I have taken into serious consideration the Invitation which you gave 
me to settle with you in the Avork of the gospel Ministry. The proceedings of your 
meetings have been laid Ijcfore me by your committee. 

" And, looking up to Heaven for direction, I have endeavored impartially to at- 



257 

tend to the arguments for and against my settling; have considered your circum- 
stances, as to Union ; have attended to the proposals you made for my temporal 
support ; and to the prospect of my being useful among you : 

" Giving all the arguments their just weight, I think at present they preponderate 
in favor of my settling, And, therefore, following, as far as I know my own heart, 
the dictates of Providence and duty, I would present you with my answer in the 
affirmative. 

" Should nothing turn up altering the present appearance of things, I am now 
willing to proceed with you to the necessary steps for Ordination. Brethren, you 
must be sensible that the work to which you invite me is great and arduous, you 
will allow me, then, earnestly to solicit an interest in your prayers to the great 
Head of the Church, that should Providence fix me here as your watchman, I may 
have grace to be faithful, and wisdom to be successful. Should such a connexion 
take place, may it serve to promote our Mutual happiness here «Sb hereafter, & 
the advancement of the Eedeemer's kingdom. All which, with suitable respects, 
is the sincere desire & prayer of him who devotes himself to your service in 
Christ. 

"MOSES WARREN. 

" VVlLBKAHAM, SOUTH PARISH, July 17, 1778." 

At a church meeting held July 21, it was voted that the following churches, by 
their Pastors and Delegates, be requested to sit in council ... on Tuesday, the 
second day of September next, at one o'clack in the afternoon, to assist in the 
ordination of Mr. Moses Warren. 

Rev. Elisha Fish, Upton. Rev. Walter King, Norwich. 

Elisha Fish, Jr., AVindsor. " David Sanford, Medway. 

Charles Backus, Somers. " Alexander, Mendon. 

Richards. Storrs,Longraeadow, " Samuel Stebbins, Simsbury. 

" Joseph Willard, North Parish. " Jos. Lathrop, W. Springfield. 

" Bazaleel Howard, Springfield. " Prudens, Enfield. 

" Jesse Ives, Monson. " John Willard, Stafford. 

There is no record of tlie ordination services, — at least I have found 
none. 



CHURCH DISCIPLINE, Page 147. 
One of the foolish instances of church discipline I will give for instruction and 
warning. Mr. John Williams was proposed for church membership, March 7, 
1792. Difficulties were so far removed that he was admitted on the 14th. April 
4, 1794, Brother John Williams made confession for speaking unadvisedly " By 
George." " He had been accused publickly of profaning the name of God which 
he denied he did." The church came to no vote respecting the confession but 
chose a committee of Jive " to inquire, obtain light, and report to the chh." 
On the 13th the church was notified to meet on the 17th. The chh. met and 
chose two men to bring forward a complaint, which they did, and one man to sup- 
port the complaint, and voted to send the accusation to Brother Williams ; then 
adjourned to April 28th. Met as agreed. Bro. Williams denied the charge. The 
managers for the church caUed two women and one man to sustain it. The two 



258 

women, after solemn caution to be careful and tell the truth, said that Brother 
Williams did say "By God." The man was not so confident, "but rather thought 
he did." Brother Williams chose Col. Bliss to manage his case. Two witnesses 
were called, both men. After being solemnly cautioned, one said he didn't hear 
only " By " ; the other positively knew he said " By George " ! ! After remarks on 
the evidence by both parties, the church voted that the complaint was supported, 
and suspended Brother Williams from communion till he should make satisfaction. 
Brother Williams asked for a mutual council. Church not ready to grant it; but 
adjourned to Friday previous to first Sabbath in June. Met; voted to unite 
with Br. Williams in calling a mutual council, and to call in the assistance of the 
churches in Somers, Longmeadow, and Springfield, to meet July 1st, and chose 
three men to lay the case before the colincil. Council met, organized, reviewed 
the case, and adjourned to the next day. Met ; stated that they " did not think 
the charge supported in manner and form as alleged," but admonished Mr. Wil- 
liams to take special heed to his ways, and especially to his tongue; (!) and the 
church were rebuked for not complying with Matt, xviii ; then said that the church 
should consider Br. Williams' acceptance of their verdict ground of restoration. 
When asked if he accepted, he said " Yes." Tlie church wished for time before 
answering; but at last yielded, and voted Br. Williams back. We are not 
through. Three men had a church meeting called, July 27, to see if the church 
would not reconsider their vote. They met. They reconsidered. They offered Br. 
Williams another mutual council ; then dissolved. In September, Br. Williams 
petitioned for a committee to lay his case before the association. The church 
would not unite in the choice of a committee ; but offered a mutual council, which 
Br. Williams declined in turn. Then the church chose a committee of three to 
confer with Br. Williams, and see if some method could not be adopted to heal 
the unhappy breach, and adjourned to Friday. Met ; prayed ; committee reported, 
"could effect nothing." Then could not agree to send to the association. The 
trouble biibbles faster. Dea. Hitchcock asks to be dismissed from the deaconship, 
because John Bliss had not represented him fairly before the ecclesiastical council. 
He was " much grieved." " Much was said about the matter," but the church 
could neither censure Bliss nor release the deacon then, and adjourned to the 
24th. Church met; prayed. Deacon Hitchcock persisted in resigning; church 
voted he should not ; he did. Col. Bliss was not dealt with ; wholly dropt. In 
October, 179.5, Dea. Hitchcock asked a certificate of dismission from the church; 
got it. Where is brother Williams ? Not a ray of light is thrown upon his des- 
tiny. He is left suspended between the church and the world, in perilous proxim- 
ity to the latter. Let who will choose the old paths ! 

Rev. Moses Warren was born in Upton, 1758 ; graduated at Harvard College, 
1784; studied theology with Rev. Mr. Fish, of Upton; was licensed at Milford, 
1785; was ordained, September 3, 1788 ; married Lydia Bliss, 1789, (1) and died, 
Feb. 29, 1829, aged 71. 



MINISTERS IN THE SOUTH PARISH AFTER REV. MR. WRIGHT. 

Page 150. 

James A. Hazcn, ordained Jan. 30, 1839, discharged June 22, 1847. 
,j Hubbard Beebe, installed April 19, 1848, discharged April 1, 1852. 



259 



E. Skinner, ordained May 19, 1853, discharged April 11, 1855. 

James C. Houghton, installed April 11, 1855, discharged October 1, 1856. 

John Whitehill, ordained December 11, 1861. 



BB. p. 161. 

HISTORY OF THE WESLEYAN ACADEMY. Page 157. • 
BY DR. RAYMOND. 

The Wesleyan Academy, as its name indicates, is in some way connected with 
the Methodist Church. A recognition of this connection is essential to a correct 
knowledge of its history. It is not now, at this Centennial Celebration of the 
Incorporation of the Town of Wilbrahara, quite one hundred years since the first 
Methodist Church in America was organized. During the first fifty yeai-s of this 
period the activities of the church were mostly employed in pioneer labor, — in 
the missionary Avork of establishing churches, — but few efforts were made to 
found educational institutions. Cokesbury College, in Maryland, was built, and, 
after having been consumed by fire, was rebuilt; but Providence permitting it 
to be again destroyed by the flames, nothing further, worthy of record, was done 
in the cause of education by the Methodist Church in America till the year 1818. 
At that time the New England Conference embraced within its limits the entire 
territory of the New England States, except a small portion included in the 
New York Conference. Under the patronage of the New England Conference, 
and chiefly by the agency of its ministers, the Wesleyan Academy was inaug- 
urated, and was located for a time in Newmarket, New Hampshire. Its act of 
incoi'p oration passed the New Hampshire Legislature, June 23d, 1818. The 
acceptance of its charter, adoption of its by-laws and the first organized meeting 
of its Board of Trustees occurred July lOth of the same year. The close con- 
nection between the Academy and the Conference is sufficiently evinced by the fol- 
lowing quotation : — 

" By-laws of the Trustees of the Newmarket Wesleyan Academy, adopted at their 
first meeting, and sanctioned by the New England Annual Conference. — Art. 1. These 
by-laws, rules, and regulations, and such others as may hereafter be made and 
receive the sanction of the New England Annual Conference of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for the time being, shall be binding and obligatory on the Trus- 
tees and officers of the Academy, and shall not be annulled, suspended, or altered 
at any time, without the consent of said Conference, certified in writing by their 
president, and countersigned by their secretary." 

The same connection is equally manifest in many subsequent acts and resolves. 
The course of study prescribed, included, besides the usual academic studies, the 
" Hebrew, Chaldcc, and Syriac languages, and divinity," showing that the prepa- 
ration of candidates for the ministry was one of the objects contemplated by the 
founders of the institution. A by-law providing that any surplus funds in the 
hands of the treasuter at any time should be appropriated to the education of sons 
of Methodist travelling preachers, the New England Conference having the pcrog- 
ative of selecting candidates, shows another purpose of the founders. 



260 

The Wesleyan Academy had but very limited success dui-ing the entire time of 
its location at Newmarket, and on the 30th of December, 1823, the following vote 
was passed by the trustees : — 

" Whereas, the Academy under our superintendence has not met with that 
encouragement which we were induced to expect, Therefore, voted, that we sus- 
pend our operations for the present." 

Subsequently, by vote of the board, their effects were transferred to the trustees 
of the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., and the corporation of the New- 
market Wesleyan Academy became extinct. 

Previous to the suspension of operations in the Newmarket Academy, its found- 
ers, with other friends of education in the Methodist Church, who had become asso- 
ciated with them, were inquiring for a more favorable location, and proposals from 
different localities were invited. The citizens of Wilbraham offered valuable 
inducements, and the present site of the institution was selected, a board of trus- 
tees was nominated, and an act of incorporation was obtained from the Massachu- 
setts Legislature, which act was approved by the Governor on the 7th of February, 
1824, a few days more than a month after operations were suspended at Newmarket. 

The Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham and the Newmarket Wesleyan Academy 
are one and the same institution, with a change of location and legal authority ; 
under the patronage of the same ecclesiastical organization, founded by the same 
men, sustained by the same agencies, organized for the same purposes, and one 
every way identical (with the exceptions just mentioned). The Wesleyan 
Academy, therefore, claims the honor of being the oldest existing literary 
institution, under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Amer- 
ica. The Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Readfield, Maine, and the Oneida 
Conference Seminary at Cazenovia, New York, were both commenced about the 
time of the removal from Newmarket to Wilbraham, and the latter commenced 
the work of instruction a short time before the ojjening of the school at Wil- 
braham. These few and then feeble forerunners among Methodist literary institu- 
tions have been followed by a very numerous train. In 1860, the northern division 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church had under its care one hundred and three insti- 
tutions of academic or higher grade, -with six hundred and thirty-three professors 
and teachers, 21,616 pupils, and a property estimated to be worth, above indebted- 
ness, $4,085,465. So that, from the time the Wesleyan Academy, — then the only 
Methodist institution of learning on the continent, — was removed to Wilbraham, 
to the year 1860, when the above statistics were collected, the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, in the non-slaveholding States, did, on an average, every four months 
establish an educational institution of academic or higher grade, with, on an aver- 
age, two hundred students, six teachers, and a property of $40,000. The connec- 
tion of the Wesleyan Academy with a church whose zeal in the cause of education 
is such as these statistics evince, explains, at least in part, the secret of its success. 
On land donated by the late Wm. Rice, Esq., of Springfield, formerly of Wilbra- 
ham, known as the "Academy Lot," with the avails of donations collected by 
agents who travelled extensively through the Conference, the " Old Academy " 
building was expected. A farm of sixty acres, — one-half of the Warriner home- 
stead, — was purchased, and the old farm-house was enlarged and fitted for a board- 
ing-house. The school was opened for the reception of students, November 8th, 







a! 






H 






261 



Access>t9. 
William L. Smith, Esq., 1835, 

Joha M. Merrick, Esq., 1836. 

Joel M. Lyman, 1836, 

Rev. Bartholemew Otheman, 1836, 
Rev. William Smith, 1839, 

Prof. Aug. W. Smith, LL.D., 1840, 
Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D., 18i2. 
Roderick S. Merrick, 1842, 

Rev. Phiueas Crandall, 1844. 

Rev. Charles Adams, D.D., 1844, 
Robert R. Wright, 1845. 

Rev. Amos Binney, 1845. 

.James Luke, 1847, 

Samuel Warner, 1848, 

Lee Rice, 1848, 

Rev. Edward Otheman, A.M., 1848. 
Horatio N. Hovey, 1848, 

Rev. D. P. Robinson, A. M., 1849. 
William North, Esq., 1S49, 

Lee Claflin, Esq., 1850. 

Hon. Jacob Sleeper, 1850. 

Rev. Loranus Crowell, A.M., 1851. 



Exilus. I Accesms. 

1836. Rev. Charles H. True, D.D., 1851. 

Harvey Danks, Esq., 1851, 

1857. David Smith, 1852. 
1849. Pliny Nickerson, 1852. 
1844. j H. Bridgman Brewer, 1S53. 
1800. Rev. John W. Merrill, D.D., 1853, 

Isaac Rich, Esq., 1854. 

1853. Hon. Thomas P. Richardson, 1854. 

Harrison Nevvhall, 1854. 

1853. John Wesley Bliss, 1857. 

Truman Kimpton, 1857, 

Rev. William Rice, A.M., 1858, 

1862. Amos B. Merrill, Esq., 1859. 

1858. Horace M. Sessions, 1859. 
1857. George C. Rand, 1860. 

Philip P. Tapley, 1860. 

1851. I Rev. Joseph Cummings,D.D., 1800. 

Rev. E. O.Haven,D.D.,LL.D., 1861. 

1859. I Porter Cross, 1863. 

Francis J. Warner, 1803. 

! Horace Smith, 1863. 

I Lewis H. Tavlor, 1863. 



OFFICERS OF INSTRUCTION AND GOVERNMENT. 



PRINCIPALS. 



Accessus, JExitus. 

Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D.D., 1825, 1831. 

Rev. AV.McK. Bangs, A.M., 1831, 18.32. 

Rev. John Foster, A.M., 1832, 1834. 

Rev. David Fatten, D.D., 18.34, 1S41. 



Accesstis. Exitus. 

Key. Charles Adams, D.D., 1841, 1845. 

Rev. Robert AUyn, A.M., 1845, 1848. 
Rev. Sliner Raymond, D.D., 1848. 



TEACHERS. 



Accessus. Exitus. 

Nathaniel Dunn, A.B., 1824, 1829. 

William Magoun, A.M., 1827, ' 1832. 

David Gould, A.B., 1828, 1829. 

Rev. John Foster, A.JI., 1829, 1832. 

William Jlitchell, 1830, 1839. 

Rev. Edw. Otheman, A.M., 1832, 18-33. 

Samuel P. Dole, 1832, 1833. 

Prof. Dan.H. Chase, LL.D., 1833, 1834. 

Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D., 1833, 1841. 

Rev. B. I.Diefendorf,AM., 1834, 1835. 

Rev. John Roper, A.M., 18:}4, 1842. 

Prof. Harvey B.Lane, A.M., 1836, 1838. 

Isaac T. Goodnow, A.3I., 1836, 1847. 

Rev. Henry DeKoven,D.D., 1837, 1838. 

William H. Bussell, A.M., 1838, 1855. 

Rev. Robert Allyn, A.M., 1841, 1843. 

Charles F. Stockwell, A.M., 1841, isi-'. 

Rev. John H.Twombly, A.M., 1843, 1>I > 



Oliver Marcy, A.M., 
Rev. Samuel F. Beach, A.M., 
Orang'e Judd, A.M., 
Prof. Fales H. Newhall, A.M 
Rev. Geo. M. Steele, A.M., 
Rev. Oliver S. Howe, 
Simeon F. Chester, A.3L, 
Rev. Henry W. Warren, AM. 
Rev. Edw. B. Otheman, A.M 
Emerson Warner, M.D., 
Rev. Albert D. Vail, A.M., 
Rev. Nath'l "Fellows, A.M., 
Rev. Chas. N. Stowers, A.M. 
Edwin B. Harvey, A.M., 
Truman H. Kimpton, A.B., 
Phillip B. Shumway, .\.B., 
Hcv. Lorenzo White, 



Accessue. 


Exitus 


1845, 


1862. 


, 1846, 


1847. 


18-17, 


1848. 


., 1848, 


1853. 


1849, 


1853. 


1853, 


1847. 


1853. 




., 1853, 


1855. 


., 1855, 


185G. 


1855, 


1803. 


1857, 


1858. 


185S, 


1860. 


., USOO, 


1862. 


1862. 




1862. 




1S62, 


1804 


1864. 





262 









rRECEPTRESSES. 










Accessrts. 


Exitus. 




Accessus. 


Exitus. 


Charlotte L. Tilling 


hast. 


1820, 


1827. 


Clarissa F. Abbot, 


1841, 


1842 


Susan Brewer, 




1827, 


1829. 


Emeline B. Jenkins, 


1843, 


1845 


Lucy "SVinsor, 




1830, 


1831. 


Isabella Hill, 


1845, 


1848 


IMaria Steele, 




1832, 


1833. 


Louise E. Landon, 


1848, 


1849 


Catherine Hyde, 




1833, 


1835. 


Sarali North, 


1849, 


1852 


Nancy Holland, 




1835, 


1836. 


Caroline J. Lane, 


1852, 


1854 


N. Miranda Nash, 




1836, 


1837. 


Isabella H. Binney, 


1854, 


1857. 


Allen, 




183-, 


1838. 


Ruby Warfield, 


1857, 


1864. 


Hannah M. Tliomp 


<on. 


1838, 


1841. 









TEACHERS OF MUSIC. 





Accessvs. 


ExiUis. 




Accessus. 


Exitus- 


Hannah Potter, 


1835, 


1836. 


Cordelia M. Kettelle, 


1849, 


1854. 


Ann Eliza Sperry, 


1836, 


1838. 


Sarah M. Kettelle, 


1850, 


1855. 


Eduah C. Shaw, 


1838, 


1838. 


Mahala E. Chester, 


18.54, 


1857. 


Almira Davis, 


1838, 


1839. 


Isabella H. Andrews, 


1855, 


1857. 


Lydia J. Belcher, 


1839, 


1840. 


Miranda Chapin, 


1857, 


1858. 


Jennette Ashley, 


1840, 


1841. 


Ellen A. Doe, 


1858, 


1800. 


Nancy H. Goldbury, 


1841, 


1842. 


Simeon Fuller, 


1801, 


1803. 


Charles W. Warren, 


1842, 


1844. . 


Mary I. .Raymond, 


1803. 




Eliza Gilbert Brewer, 


1845, 


1849. 












STEWARDS. 








Accessiis. 


Exitus. 




Acce^iui, 


Exitus. 


Ebenezer Tliompson, 


1S2G, 


1828. 


Reuben Palmer, 


1842, 


1843. 


Solomon Weeks, 


1828, 


1832. 


James Howe, 


1843, 


1847. 


Rev. Edward Hyde, 


1832, 


■1833. 


Alexander P. Lane, 


1847, 


1850. 


Miles Belden, ILD., 


1833, 


1834. 


John M. Jlerrick, Esq., 


1850, 


1852. 


Davis Smith, 


1834, 


1835. 


Samuel Warner, Esq., 


1852, 


1855. 


Rev. John W. Hardy, 


1835, 


1838. ' 


'John M Merrick, 


1855, 


1801. 


William Healy, Jr., 


1838, 


1842 


Robert O. Sessions, 


1801. 





" OLD ACADEMY." 

The " Old Academy '' building was of brick, two stories high, entered 
by a door and high steps on the south side. The east-half of the lower 
floor was the schoolroom, and the story over it was a dormitory for the 
" small boys," who were under the care of a tutor. There were ten or a 
dozen or more beds ranged around the room. The west-half of the lower 
floor was divided into two rooms ; one used for recitation, the other for 
study. The story above had two dormitories, and a lobby where the 
library (?) was kept. The basement had two or three dormitories (!!) 
and recitation rooms ; and in the northwest corner was the chemical 
laboratory; and, hard by, the "dungeon," where thoughtless boys had 
opportunity for " fasting, meditation, and ! " 



PS 

m 



'^ t 
^ 'i 

g 
m 




261 

1825. The number of students the first day was eight; during the teiin, thirty- 
five. From these small beginnings the institution was at once encouraged by unex- 
pected success, and through its entire subsequent history it has received a patron- 
age quite equal to its provisions. The principal's house was built in 1827. To 
assist indigent students, by making the institution, as far as means would allow, a 
manual-labor school, a mechanic shop was erected, and incipient arrangements 
were made for an agricultural department. This mechanic shop was soon after 
enlarged and converted into a laboratory, with recitation rooms, museum, and calu- 
net for the department of Natural Science. In 1838, a separate boarding-house 
for ladies was erected on the northwest corner of the academj^ lot. This was sub- 
sequently removed and made to form a south wing to the old boarding-house. A 
new dining-hall was added, and the whole thoroughly renewed, making a very 
convenient residence for a family of one hundred and fifty persons. 

In 1851, the seminary building known as "Fisk Hall," was erected; and in 
1854, the old laboratory was removed and "Binney Hall" erected in its place. In 
1856 the principal's house was removed and another built to supply its place. On 
the 4th of January of this year, the boarding-house took fire, and, with a large por- 
tion of its furniture and provisions, was entirely consumed. On the 1st of Au- 
gust the erection of a new and substantial brick edifice, two hundred and forty-two 
feet by thirty-eight, with a rear part one hundred and forty feet by thirty-eight, 
partly four and partly three stories high, was commenced. This structure was 
completed in 1857, and on the 29th of September, a few weeks after its occu- 
pancy by students it was destroyed by the flames. After nearly two years' delay, 
another building to occupy its place was commenced, and was ready for the recep- 
tion of students at the commencement of the fall terra, in August, 1861. This 
noble edifice provides ample accommodations for a family of two hundred and 
fifty persons, and it is regarded as a superior structure, unsurpassed by any of its 
kind in architectural taste, convenience, and general adaptation to the purpose for 
which it is used. During these years the trustees bought real estate, and occasion- 
ally sold small portions of what they had purchased ; but an account of these pur- 
chases and sales is not considered essential to the purposes of this brief historic 
sketch. In 1827, the New England Conference made the academy a donation of 
the proprietorship of the Zion's Herald, a weekly periodical of the denomination, 
l)ublished in Boston. This was subsequently sold to the book agents at New 
York, and the avails applied to the general purposes of the academy. 
The assets of the concern, as reported l)y the committee on inventory, ]\Iarch 
19th, 1863, amount to $120,000 

The value of property destroyed by fire is 65,000 

Total of property entrusted to the care of the Trustees . . $185,000 
The resources from which this amount of property has been accumulated are as 
follows : — 

Donations from Isaac Rich, Esq., of Boston .... $40,000 
Apppropriations from the State 36,500 

T . . 28,000 

insurance ...■••••• ' 

Present Indebtedness ' 

Donations from Lee Clafliu, Esq., of Hopkinton . • • • 10,500 



262. 



Donations from the late Col. Binney, of Boston .... 10,000 

Avails of profits and sale of Zion's Herald ..... .3,400 

Donations of 1,000 dollars and under, chiefly from friends in Bos- 
ton, Lynn, Springfield, and Wilbraham 36,600 

Total $185,000 

To determine definitely the whole number of different persons who have been 
students of the Wcsleyan Academy would require an unwarrantable amount of 
labor. If we estimate the average attendance at 180, and the average time for the 
continuance of each pupil at six months, — which estimates are not far from the 
truth, — the whole niimber during the thirty -eight 3'ears of the school's history at 
Wilbraham will be about 12'000. Most of these 12,000 students, at the time of 
their connection with the Academy, were between fifteen and twenty-five years of 
age. Probably about 500 of them, on leaving the Academy, entered college, and 
a much larger number Avent immediately to professional studies. The chief glory 
of the institution, however, consists in the fact that it has educated in part so many 
thousands of the bone and sinew of society, — the practical men and women of the 
age. The catalogue for 1854-5 shows a list of 631 names, — 343 gentlemen, and 
288 ladies ; aggregate by terms, 943. This is the largest attendance during any 
one year. During the Fall Term of 1854 there were 343 students ; the largest 
number ever in attendance at the same time. The average number of students 
during the last twelve years has not been far from 200. 

The following is a list of the ofiiccrs of the institution, with the time of com- 
mencing and of closing their services : — 



PKESIDENTS QF THE HOARD OF TRUSTEES. 



Col. Amos Binney, 
Rev. John W. Hardy, 
Hon. Abel Bli.ss, 
George M. Hyde, Esq., 
William Rice, Esq., 



Accessus. Exitus. 

1824, 1830. 

1830, 1S3G. 

1830, 1845. 

1845, lf<48. 

1848, 1852. 



Accessus. Exitus. 

Rev. Phinehas Crandall, 1852, 1854. 

Rev. Amos Binney, 18.54, 185G. 

Rev. Edw.Otlieman,A.M., 185(i, 1801. 

Amos B. Merrill, Esq., 1801, 1803. 
Rev. Erastus O. Haven, D.D., 1803, 



SECRETARIES. 



Accesstts, 
Hon. Abel Blis.'i, 1824, 

John M. Merrick, Esq., 18.30, 

Rev. William .Smith, 1842, 

Rev. Charles Adams, A.M., 1843, 
Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D., 1845, 



Exitus. 
18.30. 
1842. 
1843. 
1845. 
1848. 



Accessus. Exitus. 

Rev. Edw'd Otheman, A.M., 1848, 1851. 

RobertR. Wright, Esq., 1851, 1853. 

John M. Merrick, Esq., 1853, 1858 

Harrison Newhall, Es(j., 1858, 1800. 
Rev. Wm. Rice, A.M., 1800, 



Abraham Avery, Esq., 
Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D.D., 
Rev. Joseph A. Merrill, 



Col. Amos Binney, 
Hon. Abel Bliss, 
Abraham Avery, Esq., 
Rev. Calvin Brewer, 
Rev. Enoch Mudge, 
Rev. Wilbur Kisk, D.D., 
Rev. Joshua Crowell, 
William Rice, Esq., 
Rev. John Lindsey, 



Accessus. 
1824, 
1828, 
1832, 



TREASURERS. 
Exitus. Accessus. Exitus. 

1828. I John M. Merrick, Esq , 1842, 1861. 

1832. James Lulce, Esq., 1801, 1802. 

1842. I Rev. Miner Raymond, D.D , 1802, 



TRUSTEES. 



Accessus. Exitus. 

1824, 18.30. 

1824, 1845. 

1824, 1842. 
1824, 

1824, 1820. 

1824, 1839. 

1824, 1835. 

1824, 1803. 

1824, 1841. 



Rev. Timothy Merritt, 
Rev. Joseph A. Merrill, 
Rev. John W. Hardy, 
David Rice, Esq., 
John L. Snuth, Esq., 
Hon. Gilbert Burrows, 
Alpheus Hanks, Esq., 
George M. Hyde, Esq., 
Rev. Heman Bangs, 



Accessus. 


Exitus 


1825, 


18.37. 


1825, 


1819. 


1820, 


1845. 


1830, 


1854. 


1831, 


1830. 


1831, 


1834. 


1831, 


1833. 


1833, 


1849. 


1834. 


1830. 



263 

VOTE OF THE TOWN, APRIL 6, 1764, ^T A SPECIAL MEETING, TO CON 
VEY LAND FOR A GRIST-MILL TO STEBBINS # MILLER. Page 157. 
" Voted and Granted to Caleb Stebbins of this Town and to Joseph Miller of 
Springfield [Ludlow now] Four acres of Land for the Priviledge or Conveniancy 
of Erecting a Grist Mill on or near the South side of the North Ministry Lot in 
this Town on a Brook Called 12 mile Brook — upon condition that the said Steb- 
bins & Miller will Erect or cause to be Erected a good Grist Mill and keep (or 
cause to be kept) the Said mill in good Repair from the Time of said mill being 
Builded thence forward for the Space of 15 Years on said Brook — and also upon 
Condition that the said Stebbins and Miller will secure & save this Town from 
any & all Charges which may any way arise on account thereof During the 
Natural Life of the Reyi Noah Mirick now Pastor of this Town — and also upon 
Condition that the said Stebbins & Miller will give or pay or cause to be paid to 
this Town the Sum of Twenty four Shillings Lawful money at the Decease of the 
Said ReV Noah Mirick — Upon the Said Stebbins & Miller fuUfilling the before 
mentioned Conditions the said 4 acres of Land is to be theirs forever but if not 
then the Said Land is to return to this Town again. 

"Attest, EZRA BARKER Town Cleric" 



FIRST WOOLLEN MILL. Page ICO. 

" The first woollen mill in Wilbraham was built by Sumner Sessions, in the 
South Parish, on a mill-stream called Scantic, in A. D. 1845. It was rented and 
operations commenced by Levi Bradford and Eleazer Scripter, in April, 1846. Busi- 
ness was commenced with one set of machinery for the manufacture of satinet. 
In April, 1847, Mr. Bradford retired from the firm, and Luther E. Sage, William 
V. Sessions, and Samuel Beebe became partnei's, and the firm name was changed 
to Scripter, Sage, & Co. Another set of machinery was added by the new 
Company. The necessary increase of power was obtained by the purchase of the 
caixling-machine privilege just above on the same stream. Eleazer Sci"ipter was 
chosen agent and treasurer of the company. The manufacture of satinets, tweeds, 
cassimeres, and doeskins was carried on by this company until January, 1856. An 
act of incorporation having been obtained from the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
a new company was formed, January 30, 1856, with a capital of twenty thousand 
dollars. The name of the company was " The South Wilbraham Manufacturing 
Company." E. Scripter acted as agent and treasurer for the company until Janu- 
ary, 1860, when, on account of failing health, he retired from the management of 
the concern, and William V. Sessions was appointed in his place, which position he 
still occupies. In 1862, a large addition to the mill was built, and still another set 
of machinery added. The necessary increase of power being obtained from a steam- 
engine. The present capacity of the mill for turning off goods is one thousand 
yards of three-fourths satinet per day." — From William V. Sessions, Esq. 



STAGES OF SIKES AND PEASE. Page 161. 

Sikes and Pease made large contracts with the government for carrying 
mails not only in New England but in the Southern States. I have be- 
fore me five original contracts, made by Levi Pease with the Postmaster 



264 

General. They were furnished me by James Parker, Esq , of Springfield. 
One of these contracts, bearing date 1794, made by Timothy Pickering, 
Postmaster General, with Pease, defines the time for carrying the mail 
between Brookfield and Albany, thi'ough Northampton. " The mail was 
to leave Brookfield Wednesday, Friday, Monday, at 9, a. m., and arrive 
at Northampton same days at 6, p. m. Leave Northampton Thursday, Sat- 
urday, Tuesday, at 5, a. m., and arrive at Pittsfield same days at 6, p. m. 
Leave Pittsfield Friday, Monday, Wednesday, at 5, a. m., and arrive at 
Albany same days at 6, p. m. Three days were occupied in driving from 
Brookfield to Albany. 

Mr. Parker had a contract of Sikes of a much earlier date, but some 
friend, to whom he had loaned it, had mislaid it, and I am denied the 
pleasure of giving the reader a copy of it, as I hoped to do. 



C C p. 168. 

SPRIXGFIELD AND WILBRAHAM COMPARED. Page 164. 

The comparative wealth of the towns of Wilbraham and Springfield is 
well illustrated by the following table which I find among the papers left 
by Calvin Stebbins. It shows the amount paid by each town on $100 of 
the State tax. 

1763, Springfield paid $11.14 on $1,0()0, Wilbraham $1.67 

1790, " " 4.18 " " 3.54 

1800, " " 3.96 " " 2.15 

1810, " " 4.27 " " 2.28 

1820, " "' 5.79 " " 1.77 

1830, " " 8.12 " " 1.95 

1840, " " 13.17 " " 1.55 

The table ends with this year. It will be obsei-ved that in 1790 Sjoring- 
field was but a little over one-eighth richer than Wilbraham; in 1840, it 
was nine times richer. Calvin Stebbins says that the population of this 
town, in 1790, was 1,555. It is stated by Hon. George Bliss in his ad- 
di-ess, 1828, that in 1791 there were but 1574 inhabitants in the town of 
Springfield. These statements are both verified by the State census, pub- 
lished with notes in 1863. There was a time, therefore, when the 
daughter had nearly attained the mother's stature and fortune. Now, 
how changed ! 



265 



A TABLE SHOWING THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF EACH TEAR, FROM 
1731 TO 1783. ALSO THE SAME FOR EACH DECENNIAL. 



Tear. 


J3 


^ 


Year. 


.rt 


i 


Year. 




i 




0) 


,2 




V 


•^ 




0) 






« 


P5 




« 


cq 




ft 


H 


1731 




1741 


2 


9 


1751 


5 


12 


1732 






1742 


7 


10 


17.52 


3 


14 


1733 




2 


1743 


1 


7 


1753 


2 


12 


17.34 




6 


1744 


1 


12 


1754 


S 


12 


1735 


1 


4 


1745 


2 


10 


1755 


3 


14 


1736 


1 


4 


1746 


1 


13 


1756 


3 


19 


17-37 


1 


4 


1747 




10 


1757 


10 


18 


1738 




9 


1748 


3 


13 


1758 


6 


13 


1739 


1 


10 


1749 


4 


9 


1759 


12 


12 


1740 






1750 


5 


17 


1760 


2 


20 



Year. 



1761 
1762 
1763 
1764 
1765 
1766 
1707 
1768 
1769 
1770 



3 


Year. 


CI 

Q 


3 


20 


1771 


12 


32 


22 


1772 


7 


34 


21 


1773 


16 


40 


23 


1774 


32 


34 


23 


1775 


23 


52 


27 


1776 


47 


43 


24 


1777 


19 


39 


26 


1778 


IS 


41 1 


30 


1779 


16 


46 


26 


1780 


19 


28 



t: Year. 



1781 


9 


40 


1782 


17 


18 


1783 


16 


'4 



1734-43 12 59 

1743-53 ' 24 128 

1753-03 I 52 179 

1763-73 81 280 

177;}-83 |234 1457 



In Wales and the Half-mile there were 82 births and 26 deaths before 
the incorporation of the town, making in all 1,118 births and 423 deaths. 
From 1762 to 1784, inclusive, there were 221 intentions of marriage pub- 
lished. 

In 1776, 12 died in the armj, in addition to 47 who died at home, 
making 59. 



EXPENSES OF THE TOWN OF WILBRAHAM FOR THE FIRST TEN TEARS 
AFTER ITS INCORPORATION, 1764-1773. • 



Yeae. 


Ministry. 


Poor. 


Extra. 


Schools. 


HlOHWATS. 


1764 


£51 2 


£2 15 10 




£15 


£7 17 8 


1765 


55 2 7| 


3 


7 


20 




1766 


48 8 6^ 


3 


3 17 2 


20 




1767 


50 1 2 






20 


35 


17CS 


49 1 i 

50 


4 


2 5 


20 


35 


1769 


5 


20 3 8 


25 


35 


1770 


49 


6 


4 15 10 


27 


35 


1771 


51 


6 


14 5 


30 


35 


1772 


51 10 


5 




30 


35 


1773 


51 10 




6 9 
£32 9 10 


30 


40 




£506 15 4i 


£34 15 10 


£217 


£257 17 8 



Total expenses, £1,040 7s lOJ d. 

This, reduced to decimal currency, would be : — 



For Support of the poor, . . S115.67 

" Contingent or extra expenses, 107.97 

" Schooling, ..... 723.17, 

" Highways, 837.67 



For a fine for neglect of highways, 
" Services of Ckrk & Treasurer, 



2.50 
5.50 



$1,815.59 



EXPENSES OF THE TOWN FROM 1790 TO 1799 INCLUSIVE, FOR HIGH- 
WAYS, SCHOOLS, ij-c. 

Turnpike road along Chicopec River, $2C.0..33 

Highways, 3,03:5.33 

Common schools, 
Grammar scliool, 



Constable or Collector's services, . $251.95 
Surveying roads, .... 2.25 
Damage for roads passing over lands, 2.00 

Removing paupers 15.75 

Supporting paupers, H. B., . . 8.75 
Special grants for roads and bridges, 79.16 



Contingent expense, 



3,096.33 
80.00 
617.17 



$7,453.02 



34 



266 

This is more than four times the expenses of the period eighteen years 
before, from 1763 to 1772. 



EXPENSES FROM 1831 TO 1840, INCLUSIVE. 



Damages for roads passing over 

lands, #43.50 

Constable's services, .... 258.75 
Borrowed money, .... 290.00 
Surplus revenue, taken to pay bor- 
rowed money, . . . . . 450.00 
I'aying debts of the town, . . 500.00 
Special grants for roads, . . . 736.55 



Town debts, 589.00 

Outstanding claims, .... 750.00 
Contingent expenses for nine years, 2,400.00 
Expenses of poor, .... 6,211.50 

Schools, 7,200.00 

Highways, 10,000.00 

$29,490.27 



About four times the amount of tlie expenses of the decade, forty 
years previous. 

CHABACTER OF THE EARLY INHABITANTS. Page 168. 

The controlling power of the appetites is known to be characteristic 
of all pioneer and hardy life. No one is surprised, therefore, to learn 
that in the early history of the town there is evidence that our ancestors 
did not escape their influence. Intemperance was not uncommon. At 
"raisings" it was almost customary for men, at other times temperate, 
to become intoxicated. The churcli records contain several cases of disci- 
pline for this vice. In thirty-eight years, before 1779, there were fifty-five 
cases of premarital conceptions, and thirteen births out of the marriage 
relation, — averaging almost two a year. 

Hon. George Bliss, in his address, 1828, says of the early settlers of 
Springfield, " Drunkenness and lewdness seem, at that period, to have 
been not very uncommon. They were much more generally and more 
severely punished than they now are." Something besides punishment 
is needed to prevent vice. Intelligence and virtue are its only antidote. 

Marcus Lyon, whose murder is spoken of in the Address, was a resi- 
dent of Woodstock, Conn., and was returning from a journey on horse- 
back to Caznovia, New York. He was met by two Irishmen, Dominick 
Daly and James Halligan, on the road at the end of the mountain, in a 
dark, obscure spot, and foully murdered, and his body dragged through 
the bushes and thrown into the Chicopee. The murderers were pursued, 
overtaken near the city of New York, tried, convicted, and hung at 
Northampton, that being the shire town of old Hampshire County. I 
think that was the fii'st and the last execution for murder in this county. 

By the upsetting of a pleasure-boat on Nine-Mile Pond, April 29, 



267 

1799, G-ordon Bliss, Leonard Bliss, and Asenatli Bliss, children of Levi 
Bliss, and Abigail Merrick, daughter of Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, and 
Mary Warriner, daughter of Noah Warriner, and Guy Johnson, of Tol- 
land, Connecticut, were drowned. The accident cast a gloom over the 
town for a long time. 

A homicide was committed in the South Parish about twenty years 
ago, which caused a great excitement. 



SLAVERY IN WILBRAHAM. 

There were at least five slaves in the town, all in the North Parish. 
The "Worthy Ptev. Noah Mirrick " had three, Noke (Oronoke), Sip 
(Seipio), and Suke ; Mr. David Merrick had one, Caesar, and Capt. John 
Shaw had one, name unknown. I think there must have been two or 
three more, by references in the records. 

By a decision of the Supreme Court all slaves in Massachusetts were 
freed under the Constitution framed in 1780. Some of the slaves were 
run out of the State and sold. Of Rev. Mr. Merrick's slaves, Suke died 
before the day of freedom ; Noke was sold to some one in Springfield, 
and nothing more is known of him ; Sip, poor fellow, and Capt. Shaw's 
negro came to a sad end. Si^) fell to Dr. Samuel F. Merrick. The 
doctor and captain thought it hard to lose their property, and detennined 
to get the slaves into Connecticut and sell them. Mrs. Merrick was from 
Haddam, and Shaw was from that vicinity. The doctor and his wife, as 
well as Shaw, had been accustomed to go down and spend Election with 
their friends, and this year invited Sip and Sam — if that was the name 
of Shaw's slave — to go with them. The poor fellows were in ecstasies 
at the prospect of such a'trip to Hartford with Massas to see the vessels, 
and, taking their fiddles, went. They were sold secretly and invited to go 
on board a sloop, lying at the wharf, to have a good time ; and while 
fiddling and drinking the sloop dropped into the stream, spread sail, and 
dIsajDpeared down the river. The poor fellows were never heai'd of more ! 
Of Cfesar's end nothing is known. Comment is unnecessary. We live 
in 1863. 

On the other hand, slaves ran away from Connecticut and New York, 
and not a few found refuge in this town. A severe struggle took place at 
Mr. Edward Morris's, where two fugitives had taken refuge. Their mas- 
ters or hunters came after them, and a most desperate fight ensued, m 
which one escaped to the woods, and the other was taken and bound and 
carried away. I am not aware that a slave ever trod the soil of the South 



268 

Parish, unless a fugitive ; and I have no knowledge that any assistance 
was ever rendered to the hunter when he sought his human prey. There 
never will be. The hour of God's eternal purpose has struck. Not 
sprinkled with the blood of lambs, but with the blood of men, does he 
now keep his people's passover. The flaming sword of the avenging 
angel stretches over the land, and the bondmen go out under it. Glory 
to God in the Highest ! 



I> I>. p. 169. 

GRADUATES OF COLLEGES. 

Aaron Bliss graduated at Yale College, 1776 ; did not enter, profes- 
sional life ; settled as a farmer ; was a man of great eccentricity, but of 
stern puritan piety; was married, but left no children; died, 1824. 

Pliny Merrick, son of Rev. Noah Merrick, Harvard College, 1776. 
•'After completing his collegiate course, he devoted himself to the study 
of divinity, and was duly licensed to preach as a minister of the Congre- 
gational denomination ; but he never officiated in the capacity as a candidate 
for settlement in any parish or religious society. His particular attention 
was very soon aftei'wards attracted to the legal profession ; and to prepare 
himself for its practice he placed himself under the instruction of Oakes 
Angier, Esq., of Bridge water, who was one of the most distinguished law- 
yers of the day. Having been admitted to the bar in the county of Ply- 
mouth, Mr. Merrick returned to his native town and opened an office 
there. But, after residing there one or two years, he removed to Brook- 
field, then one of the most populous and flourishing towns in the county of 
Worcester, and resided there during the remainder of his life. He 
attained to high social position, and to an eminent rank in his profession. 
And he was esteemed by all his acquaintances nut only as a faithful, able, 
and eloquent counsellor, but as a good citizen, and a worthy, just, and up- 
right man. He died the second of March, 1814." His only surviving 
son is Hon. Pliny Merrick, Judge of the Supreme Court. 

Walter King, son of William King, was born November, 1758 ; gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1782 ; was ordained pastor of the church in Nor- 
wich (Chelsea), Conn., May 24, 1787 ; was dismissed in August, 1811 ; 
was installed at Williamstown, Mass., July 6, 1813 ; and died of a fit of 
apoplexy that seized him in the pulpit, December 1, 1815, aged fifty-seven. 
He pubhshed a sermon at the ordination of Daniel Hale, 1797, and a 



I 



269 

sermon on taking leave of his people at Norwich. -- Dr. Spragues An- 
nals of the American Pi§pit, Vol. ii., p. 319. 

Joseph Badger, son of Henry Badger; Y. C, 1785. He was in 
many respects a very remarkable man ; had a relish for hard service, and 
was in it all his life. He was a soldier in the Ee volution for many years, 
and his education when he left the army was very limited. He paid his 
own way 'through college, prepared for the ministry, and settled in Bland- 
ford, October 24, 1787. In 1800 he became a missionary of the " Con- 
necticut Missionary Society," to the "Western Reserve," Ohio. His 
hardships were great, as well as his perils. He preached to the Indi- 
ans as well as to the whites. He died in Wood County, Ohio, in 1846, 
aged eighty-nine years. A most interesting account is given of his labors 
and sufferings in the Quarterly Register, Vol. xiii., p. 317, and also in 
"A Memoir," published at Hudson, Ohio, 1851, by Prof Henry N. 
Day. 

Timothy Burt, " son of Gideon Burt, graduated at Yale, 1794 ; settled 
in Canandaigua as a lawyer, after being admitted to^he bar, and gave prom- 
ise of attaining a high social and professional position, which he did not 
live to realize. Died, 1811." 

Oliver Bliss, " son of Oliver, graduated in 1795, at Yale ; pursued the 
profession of law in Western Pennsylvania, where he died in 1824." 

" Gordon Bliss, son of Levi, graduated at Dartmouth College, 1797. 
He had just completed his legal studies and been admitted to the bar, 
when he met with an untimely death in Nine-mile Pond, with five others, 
April 29, 1799." 

Henry Ely, Yale College, 1798. "A clergyman." 

Judah BHss, son of Abel; Williams College. He "practised as a 
physician in town for a time; afterwards in Tolland, Conn., and in the 
city of Hartford. He removed to Buffalo, New York, m 1819, and en- 
gaged extensively in land speculations, which did not prove fortunate. 
He died near the year 1830. He had the reputation of being a skilful 
physician." 

Oliver Bliss Morris, son of Edward; Williams College, 1801 ; read 
law with Hon. George Bliss, of Springfield, where he settled ; entered the 
bar, 1804 ; represented the town in the Legislature for three successive 
years, from 1809 ; was Register of Probate for several years, and ^^- 
pointed Judge of Probate, 1829, which office he held till 1858. He was 
also for many years County Attorney. He is an eminent advocate, a 
sound lawyer, an upright judge, and steadfast friend. 

Stewart Beebe, son of Stewart; Williams College, 1803. He settled 



270 

as a lawyer in Connecticut ; then returned here, where he died, October 
7, 1851. 

Enoch Burt, Princeton, N. J., 1805; "He was a machinist in early 
life, and possessed uncommon inventive powers. Was missionary in the 
.West till 1820 ; settled in Tolland, May 19, 1821 ; in Manchester, Conn., 
1824-28, and was residing there 1854." 

Walter Beebe, son of Stewart ; Williams College, 1810 ; died at Cadiz, 
Ohio, Jan. 24, 1836. 

Henry Dwight Chapin, son of Jason ; Yale College, 1814. A lawyer, 
first in New Marlborough, Maryland, now in Baltimore. 

Robert Russell ; Williams College, 1811. 

Moses Warren, son of Rev. Moses; Williams College, 1812. 

William S. Burt; Union College, 1818; a celebrated teacher; tutor in 
Amherst College ; preceptor of an academy in Newburg, New York, and 
afterwards of one in Ithaca, N. Y., where he died, 1855. 

Noah C. Saxton ; Union College, 1818; licensed as a preacher, Octo- 
ber, 1819; editor of the New York Evangelist ; assistant of the revival- 
ist, Rev. Asahel Nettleton ; and died June 19, 1834. 

John B. Warren, son of Rev. Moses; Brown University. He preached 
in the South for many years. 

Warren Isham ; Union College, 1819. A clergyman and editor in the 
West. 

Horace Sessions, son of Robert; Yale College, 1821 ; studied theology 
at Andover; graduated, 1824. "Spent a few months as agent of the 
United Foreign Mission Society, then became an agent of the American 
Colonization Society. He collected a company of colored peoi^le, and 
went to Liberia, Africa, with them. He died on the passage home, 
March 4, 1826." 

Jacob F. Warner; Amherst College, 1829; clergyman. 

Ezekiel Russell; Amherst College, 1829; studied theology in An- 
dover, after teaching in Hadley Academy ; tutor in college ; settled in 
North Adams, 1836-39; pastor of the Fourth Church in Springfield, 
1839-49 ; settled as pastor of the Congregational Church in East Ran- 
dolph, May 8, 1850, where he now preaches ; received the honorary degree 
of D. D., 185-. He has written much for religious papers and quarter- 
lies, and has usually had several private pupils under his instruction. 

Asahel Utley; Brown University, ; "Practised law with con- 
siderable success, in East Haddam, Conn. ; and afterwards in the city of 
Middletown, where he died, 1832." 

Orlow M. Dorman; Amherst College, 1831. Went to Florida. 



271 

John "W. Merrill; Wesleyan University, Conn., 1834. An able 
preacher and scholar, now Professor in the Biblical Institute, Concord, 
New Hampshire. 

Rufus P. Stebbins ; Amherst College, 1834 ; Theological School, 
Cambridge, 1837 ; honorary degree of D. D., Harvard College, 1851 ; 
settled in Leominster, September 20, 1837-44; President of the Mead- 
ville Theological School, Meadville, Pa., 1844-56; pastor of a chm-ch in 
Woburn, 1857 — , where he now resides. He has written for relio-ious 
papers and journals, and published several sermons and literary addresses. 

Annis Merrill; Wesleyan University, 1835. Lawyer in San Francisco. 

Lycortes L. Brewer; Amherst College, 1836. Physician at Baton 
Rouge, La. 

Frederick Merrick; Wesleyan University, 1837. Professor in the 
University, and now President of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Dela- 
ware, Ohio; D. D. 

Francis Lord Fuller ; Amherst College, 1834. Preacher at the West. 

William L. Bliss ; Wesleyan University, 1842, and Yale Medical Col- 
lege. 

Emilius Brewer; Amherst College, 1845; attorney and editor, Port^ 
Gibson ; died, 1855. 

George H. Bliss ; Wesleyan University, 1842. 

Horatio Stebbins ; Harvard College, 1848 ; Cambridge Theological 
School, 1851 ; settled at Fitchburg, then at Portland, Me., where he now 
preaches. 

Joel B. Clough, Wesleyan University, 1848. Chief Engineer, Alex- 
andria, Va. 

William Lothrop Burt; Harvard College, 1850; law school. Harvard 
College, LL. B., 1853; practising law in Boston; on the staff of Maj.- 
Gen. Johnson, of Texas. 

George H. Merrick ; Amherst College, 1850 ; died, 1841. 

Marshall Calkins ; Union College, 1853 ; Philadelphia Medical College. 

Dr. Calkins "was for six years professor in different departments of 
medical science in two of the medical colleges of Philadelijhia ; was joint 
author, with the late Dr. Norton, of a work on ' Thoracic Diseases,' which 
has passed through two editions, and, at the sohcitation of his relatives 
and former friends, he located in Springfield, where he quickly obtained 
a large and lucrative practice." 

William A. Smith ; Wesleyan University, 1854 ; preacher in Illinois. 

Solomon Chapin; Wesleyan University, 1857 ; tutor and preacher. 

Edwin W. Virgin ; Wesleyan University, 1857 ; preacher. 



272 

John W. Virgin ; Williams College, 1858. 
Charles H. Gates ; Amherst College ; clergyman. 
Gilbert Webster; Union College, 1858; attorney. 
William E. Morgan ; Wesleyan University. 
George C. Bo wen; Amherst College, 1859. 
Calvin Stebbins ; Amherst College. 1862. 



PROFESSIONAL MEN NOT GRADUATES OF COLLEGE. 

Samuel F. Merrick,* M.D. After studying with Dr. Brainard, of Had- 
dam, Conn., he was admittted to practice medicine. During the Revolu- 
tionary War he was a surgeon in Col. Porter's regiment that went through 
the wilderness to reinforce the army before Quebec, and was in the disas- 
trous retreat from Canada. After the war he settled in his native place 
as a farmer, and died in 1836. He was long a leading magistrate of the 
town. 

Isaac Wood,* M.D. 

Judah Stebbins,* M.D. 

John W. Langdon,* Methodist preacher. 

Oliver Langdon,* " " 

Solomon Langdon,* " " 

Cyrus Stebbins,* D.D., Methodist preacher, then Episcopal rector. 

Elijah Stebbins,* Methodist preacher. 

Samuel Stebbins,* Congregational preacher. 

Artemas Stebbins, Methodist preacher. 

Calvin Brewer, " " 

Henry Battin, " " 

Lorin Collins, " " 

Dixon Stebbins,* " " 

Edwin Crocker, Universalist preacher. 

Andrew Jackson Stebbins, Universalist preacher. 

Daniel E. Chapin, D.D., Methodist preacher. 

Jonathan Chapin, " " 

Luther Brewer, M.D. 

Timothy Burr,* M.D. 

Jesse W. Rice,* M.D. 

Daniel D. Merrick,* M.D. 

Moses K. Brewer, M.D. 

* Those with stars are dead. 



273 

Pitkin B. Rice, M.D. 

Ralph Glover, M.D. 

Emery Thayer, M.D. 

William Carpenter, M.D. 

Lorenzo Firmin, M.D. 

Jared Cone, M.D. 

Edwin McCray, M.D. 

William McCray, M.D. 

Roderick Stebbins, M.D. 

Hon. George Merrick, judge and attoniey. 

Richard D. Morris, attorney. 

Anson L. Brewer, attorney. 

Lewis Knight, attorney. 

Hon. Thomas E. Merrick, Judge of the Supreme Court, New Orleans. 

Daniel S. Brewer, attorney, St. Francisville, La. 

William M. Merrick, draughtsman, Mil. Sec, Alexandria, Va. 



EDUCATED LADIES AND TEACHERS. 

Susan Brewer, Preceptress of the Wesleyan Academy 1328-9, and 
Principal of Tuscumbia, Tuscaloosa, and Washington Female Colleges. 

Lucinda Stebbins.* 

Jennette M. Brewer, Grad. Wesleyan Academy, 1848. 

Lucy A. Merrill, '■ " " 1849. 

MaryF. Mowry, " " " 1856. 

Elizabeth Moulton, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1856; teacher in 
the Academy, 1858. 

Sarah E. Morgan, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1 858. 

Susan E. Bushnell, " " " 1858. 

Lucretia Noble, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1857 ; teacher in 
Boston. 

Susan J. Parker, Graduate Wesleyan Academy, 1860; preceptress. 

Emma E. Wright, " ' " 1860; teacher. 

Mary G. Deane, " " " 1862. 

Lydia A. Sessions^ Holyoke Sem., 1856; teacher in the same insti- 
tution 1856-9, then Principal of Lake Erie Female Seminary at Paines- 
ville, Ohio, where she still teaches. 

Harriet E. Sessions, Mt. Holyoke Seminary, 1856 ; teacher there. 
J Sarah Bebee, " " " 1856 ; teacher in Monson 

Academy. 

Ellen P. Bowers, Mt. Holyoke Seminary, 1858 ; teacher there. 

35 



274 



istillaiieows. 



TOWN CLERKS OF WILBRAHAM. 



1741-55 

1756-63 

1763-73 

1773-78 

1779-80 

1781-85 

1785-86 

1786-90 

1791-92 

1793, 

1 793-1 8i 

1805-10 

1810-11 

1811-12 

1812-14 

1814-20 

1820-24 

1824-25 

1826, 



David Men-ick, Prcc't Clerk. 
Isaac Brewer, " " 

Ezra Barker, Town Clerk. 
James Wan-iner, 
Noah Warriner, 
James Warriner, 
Pliny Merrick, 
Samuel F. Merrick, 
John Bnckland, 
Daniel Dana, 
, Robert Sessions, 
Philip Morgan, 
Augustus Sisson, 
Abel Bliss, 
Philip Morgan, 
Moses Burt, 
Calvin Stebbius, 
Luther Brewer, 
William Wood, 



1827, 

1828, 

1829-36, 

1837-38, 

1839, 

1840-41, 

1842, 

1846-47, 

1848-49, 

1850, 

1851-52, 

185.3-54, 

1855, 

1856, 

1857-58, 

1869-60, 

1861, 

1862, 

1863, 



Luther Brewer, Town 
John Me Cray, 
Sylvanus Stebbins, 
Luther Brewer, 
Luther B. Bliss, 
John M. Merrick, 
John McCray, 
Roderick S. Merrick, 
Solomon C. Spelman, 
Jesse W. Rice, 
Liither B. Bliss, 
Horace M. Sessions, 
Roderick Burt, 
Ralph Glover, 
William P. Spelman, 
IL Bridgman Brewer, 
Howard Staunton, 
James Staunton, 
John M. Merrick, 



Clerk. 



REPRESENTATIVES FROM WILBRAHAM TO THE GENERAL COURT AT 

BOSTON. 

The following is a list of the Representatives sent to the General Court 
from 1786 to' 1863. From 1763 till the llevolutionary War, the town 
voted witli Springfield for Representatives : — 

1820, Abel Bliss. 
1821-23, None. 

1824, Abel Bliss. 

1825, Voted not to send. 

1826, Abel Bliss and DtuUey B. Post. 

1827, Abel Bliss and Robert Sessions. 

1828, Luther Brewer. 

1829, Luther Brewer and Jacob B. Mer- 
rick. 

1830, William S. Burt and Jacob B. 
Merrick. 

1831, Moses Burt and Wm. S. Burt. 

1832, Abraham Avery and Wm. S. Burt. 
(And I believe this was the year that 
Alicl Bliss was elected to the Senate.) 

1833, Stephen Stebbins. 

1834, Abraham Avery and Stephen Steb- 
bins. > 

1835, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight. 

1836, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Knight. 

1837, Walter Stebbins and Wm. Wood. 

1838, Jesse W. Rice, M.D., and William 
V. Sessions. 

1839, Stephen Stebbins. 

1840, John Newell. 

1841, Marcus Cady, M.D. 

1842, John Carpenter. 



1786- 


88, 


Phineas Stebbins. 


1789- 


92, 


None. 


1793- 


94, 


John Bliss. 


1795, 




None. 


1796- 


-1803 


, John Bliss. 


1804, 




None. 


1805, 




Phineas Stebbins. 


1806, 




None. 


1807, 




Wm. Rindge and Solomon 
Wright. 


1808, 




None. 


1809, 




William Rindge and Augus- 
tus Sisson. 


1810, 




Augustus Sisson and Wal- 
ter Stebbins. 


1811, 




Walter Stebbins and Abel 
Bliss, Jr. 


1812, 




None. 


1813, 




Wm. Clark and Joseph La- 
throp. 


1814- 


15, 


Robert Sessions and Joseph 
Lathrop. 


1816, 




Robert Sessions and Moses 
Burt. 


1817, 




Robert Sessions and William 
Wood. 


1818- 


-19, 


None. 



275 



1 84.3, Samuel Beebe. 

1844, Voted not to send. 

1845, No choice. 

1846, A^oted not to send. 
1 847, John Smith. 

1848, None elected. 

1849, No choice; two meetings for the 

purpose. 

1850, EoderickS. Merrick, second meet- 

ing. 

1851, S. C. Spelman. 

1852, No choice. 



18.53, 
1854, 
1855, 
185G, 
1857, 
1858, 
1859, 
1860, 
1861, 
1862, 
1863, 



Philip P. Potter. 

Jolin W. Langdon. 

John Baldwin. 

John B. Moms. 

Roderick Burt, Dist. No. .3. 

Rep. from Longmeadow, 

Wm. P. Spelman, 

Rep. from Longmeadow, 

Joseph McGregory, 

Rep. from Longmeadow, 

Walter Hitchcock, 



THE WOODLAND DELL CEMETERY. 

This is very pleasantly located, near and east of tlio village, in the 
North Parish. The grounds now occupied by this association, containing 
ten and a half acres, were first purchased by R. R. Wright, H. Budy 
Brewer and J. M. Merrick, at the cost of eleven hundred dollars. 

The association was organized under the General Statutes, February 
12, 1858. 

A board of trustees, nine in number, are chosen annually, who have 
the care of the property. 

The first burial in these grounds was Mrs. Louisa W. Wright, the wife 
of R. R. Wright, who died December 26, 1851. 

The number of burials to November 20, 1863, is fifty-nine. The num- 
ber by removal from other localities is forty-three ; total, one hundred 
and two. 

The officers are R. R. Wright, president ; Albert Smith, vice-president ; 
and J. M. Merrick, clerk and treasurer. 



John Stearns, 
Gordon Percival, 
Samuel F. MeiTick, 
Judah Bliss, 
Abiah South-worth, 
Converse Butler, 



LIST OF PHYSICIANS. 

Luther Brewer, 
Jacob Lyman, 
Elisha Ladd, 
Gideon Kibbc, 
Jesse W. Rice, 
John Gondalc, 



Daniel Ufford, 
Edwin McCray, 
Marcus Cady, 
Bottom. 



LIST OF LAWYERS. 
William Knight, Asa Olmstead, Otis Norcross. 

The two latter were in town only a few years, about thirty or forty 
years ago. I believe there has been no lawyer in town for some years. 



276 

^ EARLY TAVERS^ ON BAY ROAD. 

RICHARD FELLOWS'S PETITION. 

That the General Court at Boston grant him Two Hundred Acres of u])land & 
Meadow to be laid to George Cotton & Bcnj. Cooley, on Cliicopee River, (now 
corner of Monson), to be Rate free under the following condition : Build a House 
suitable to entertain travallers man & Beast with lodging & food with Beer Wine 
& strong liquors provided they Build within one Year & Maintain & Entertain 
travellers for Seven Years. 

The Court granted their request October 23, 1657. 



MAPS AND PAINTINGS OF WILDRAHAM SCENERY. 

There are two maps of Wilbraham in the State archives. The one pro-, 
traeted on a scale ten parts to an inch, each of which parts represents twenty 
rods. It is dated May 29, 1795 ; James Shaw and Robert Sessions, 
Committee. It is drawn with "pen and ink. There is a straight line west 
of the mountains, from Chicopee River to Somers, to represent the west 
road ; another on the north end to represent the " Great Road ; " another 
through the mountain in the South Parish, and bearing southeast, to the 
corner of the town. A crinkled line represents the Scantic and Chicopee 
Rivers, and Twelve-mile Brook. A rough figure of a house represents 
Caleb Stebbins's mill, the North and South Parish Meeting-houses, and 
Bui't's and Leach's mills. A long oval represents the North Mountain, 
from the Scantic to the Chicopee; a short one, truncated at the south end, 
the South Mountain. Five ovals or circles represent as many ponds or 
swamps on the west side of the town. The "elbows" had not been 
annexed when this map was projected, and are omitted. The other map 
was projected by A. Bliss about forty years ago, from a survey ordered by 
the State. It is shaded with different colors to represent different soils and 
forests, and is withal a pretty ambitious work. Monson map, the work 
of the same surveyor, shows the same tinted glories. The dimensions 
of the town, according to Bliss's survey, are as follows : West line, begin- 
ning at Chicopee River, south two and one-half degrees east, 1,478 rods be- 
tween Springfield and Wilbraham ; and south three and one-half degrees 
east, 1,234 rods between Longraeadow and Wilbraham ; in all, 2,712 
rods on the west side. 

The south line on Connecticut measures 1,420 rods. 

The east line, north one and one-half degrees west, 2,62G rods between 
Monson and Wilbraham ; north one and one-sixth degree west, 704 rods 
between Palmer and Wilbraham ; east line, in all, 3,330 rods. 

The older map gives the dimensions as follows : — 



277 

Commencing at Chicopee River, as before, south three degrees easf, 
four miles to the corner of Longmeadow ; then south the same point three 
miles on Longmeadow to Connecticut. Then east seven degrees south on 
Connecticut line, four miles and one-half to Monson Corner. Then north 
three degrees west, 2,250 rods to the Post Road, being a corner of Mon- 
son and Palmer. Then on the same point on the west line of Palmer, 
320 rods. Then west three degrees south, on land belonging to Spring- 
field, 240 rods to Chicopee River. Then follow the river to the place of 
starting. It seems that the "elbows" carried the east line of the town 
384 rods further north than it went before they were annexed. 

PAINTINGS OF THE SCENERY IN WILBRAIIAM. 

I am most happy to report that the beautiful scenery of Wilbrahara has 
found an artist and a patron. I have seen and been charmed by the two 
paintings described below, in an article taken from the Zions Herald, Feb. 
10, 1864. They are all that the critic describes them to be. I have also 
seen two others, just finished, of equal, if not greater, beauty. One is an 
autumn scene, taken from a little lower down the mountain than the first 
two were, and looking out over the plains to the Western Mountains. 
The foliage is admirably tinted, and the autumnal haze lies on the distant 
plains and mountains. The other is taken from the north end of Nine-mile 
Pond, the view being toward the south, the mountains forming the distant 
background of the picture. The execution is most admirable. 

" Wilbi-ahatn has many layers of her scenery no less than of her school ; but 
she has hitherto found no way of revealing her beauties to other eyes than those 
that have been fastened upon her. But she need lament her lot no longer. 
Two paintings, at Williams & Everett's gallery, in this city, proclaim her beauty to 
every eye. They were painted for Abralia,m Avery, of Boston, by Mr. Bricher, a 
young artist of great promise, and, judging from these works, of great achieve- 
ment. The views are taken from a spot well-known to every Wilbraham student, 
— at the head of the upper grove that contains 'the pulpit,' on the road winding 
up the mountain, behind the church. It is across the street from the little red cot- 
tage of the Goody Blake, of that neighborhood, whose ' hut was on the cold hill- 
side.' On the left of the picture are these favorite woods, the scene of many a 
prayer-meeting, oratorical explosion, lounging, reading, or musing solitaries, or of 
the law-breaking trysts of love's young dream. The trees arc superbly paintcil, 
being full of rich color and shade. One could almost transport himself thither, 
they are so life-like and enchanting. But the eye must not linger in their gotliic 
greenness, nor dwell too long upon the truthfully-rough fields under the feet or on 
the little old cottage aforesaid, snugly tucked away in the hillside in the opposite 
corner. More familiar scenes lielow allure it. There creeps the street, its few houses 
sprinkled among the many trees, like white flowers blossoming on a green river. 
No stiller in the'picture than in the fact is the pleasant old road. With pre-Baphad- 



278 

ite faithfulness the artist puts upon it no living creature, though he might have 
painted the aged gray postman with his aged gray horse, and still had it void of 
life, so ghostly is that sole animator of the seemingly-deserted village. The im- 
mense and not inartistic pile of the hoarding-house, most inartistic though it be 
in location, is partially hidden by the projecting woods behind the Academy hill, 
which grove prevents the sight of the Academy buildings. 

" Beyond lie the plains, patched with herbage, ploughed fields, trees and houses, 
and flecked with the shade and sunshine of a midsummer day. A lover of nature 
could gaze on it for hours without weariness, a lover of Wilbraham with ever- 
increasing pleasure. 

" The companion picture gives us the northwestern view from the same spot. 
The foreground is fictitious, in order to avoid repetition, though the rock in the 
left-hand corner is a veritable cojiy of the bonlder perched upon the hill back of 
the house of J. Wesley Bliss, Esq. The woods in the foreground are more beauti- 
ful, if possible, than those in the first picture. The outlook is true to the fact. 
The broad champaign, beautifully toned and varied, and relieved of its flatness, 
gathers to the gorge between Mounts Holj'oke and Tom. These mountains are 
perfect, even to the bits of houses that mar their summits. Through the opening 
is seen Northampton. The mountains rise behind her, and conclude the scene. 

"We understand that others are on the easel, representing the Nine-mile Pond, 
Glen, etc. The paintings attract much attention, and have been highly commended 
in the Transcript and the Gazette. We hope they and their forthcoming kindred 
will be engraved. The first, at least, should be, as many a child of the Old Wcs- 
leyan Avill wish it, on his walls. The thanks of all her ten thousand children, 
more or less, will assuredly be given to the munificence of the gentleman who 
ordered the works, as well as to the artist who executed them." 



I have gathered from various sources the following facts and traditions, 
which may be of interest to the curious in such matters. They are mostly 
obtained from the papers left by Calvin Stebbins and John Bliss, Esqs. 

Agriculture. — The first potatoes were brought to town by Dea. Na- 
thaniel Warriner, about 1754, or about twenty-three years after the town 
was settled. There was but a peck of them. Broom-corn was first raised 
by Thomas Jones or Joshua Leonard. At a later period, Paul Langdon 
and Calvin and Sylvanus Stebbins raised it in considerable quantities and 
manufactured it into brooms. Plaster of Paris, or gypsum, was first 
brought from West Springfield by Gad Lamb, about 1776. Calvin 
Stebbins brought the first plough with iron mould-board into town ; and, 
if I mistake not, Daniel Isham used the first castriron plough some forty 
years ago. Hops were cultivated about thirty years ago, by Calvin Steb- 



279 

bins. The mulberry fever raged thirty years ago, much to the pecuniary 
damage of many speculators. Grafted fruit took the place, at about the 
same time, of the old varieties or cider apples. Flax ceased to be culti- 
vated at the same time. Hemp was raised by a few farmers in the war 
of 1812. 

Piscatory. — It was considered disreputable in early times for farmers 
to go after shad. They were said by their neighbors to be "out of pork." 
Hence, persons, going for shad, went in the morning before their neighbors 
were up, and did not return till they were in bed. Salmon were so abun- 
dant, and farmers were so unwilling to take them, that the fishermen 
required that so many pounds of salmon should be taken for every dozen 
of shad. About twenty-five years ago bull-heads or horn-pouts made 
their appearance in the Scantic, and the trout all disappeared, much to the 
mortification of the anglers. A few years ago the "pout" disappeared, 
and the " trout " returned. There was a furor ran through the country 
a few years ago of obtaining pearls from fresh-water clams. Some of 
respectable size and value were found in the clams in the Scantic, 

Buildings. — The first wood-house was built by Oliver Bliss, 1786. 
Log houses were occupied till nearly 1800. 

Conveyances. — Lieut. Paul Langdon brought the first wagon into 
town. In 1781 there were but two two-horse wagons, and five two-horse 
sleighs. In 1804 Jesse or Pliny Bliss introduced a one-horse wagon. 
First buffalo robe brought from Montreal, 1805 ; cost $5.00. 

Inventions, — Lewis Langdon invented a machine for turning cider- 
mill screws ; Walter Burt, shears for cutting the nap of cloth. Edwin 
Chaffee, a native of this town, invented the use of India-rubber prepara- 
tions for cloth. Probably this is the most important invention made by 
any of the natives of the town. 

Vermin, — David Chapin brought the fii'st rat to the town in a sack 
of wool from Rhode Island, and permitted it to live. Hence, rats in Wil- 
braham. 

Stock. — Capt. Charles Sessions introduced Merino sheep, and had a 
large flock. Capt. Josepli Lathrop and sons introduced Saxon sheep, and 
kept a flock of several hundred. Improvement was not made in cattle 
till a later date. The breed of swine received earlier attention. 

Names of Places, Mountains, Brooks, etc. — The North Village 
long since outgrew its name of " Sodom ; " and the South Pari.>^h that of 



280 

" Pokeham; " and the South Village that of " the city." The Goat Rocks 
were so called as being the favorite resort of William King's goats, one 
of which got entangled there, and was found dead. These rocks are a 
ledge about thirty-feet perpendicular, at the south end of the North Moun- 
tains. Rocky Dander was many years ago the name of the region south 
of Burt's mill. Pole Bridge Brook was so called from the bridge first 
built over it ; it was also called Beaver Brook, because the beavers bad 
built a dam in it ; Twelve-mile Brook, because t«velve miles from Spring- 
field; Nine-mile Pond, because nine miles from Springfield; Rattlesnake 
Peak, because a rattlesnake was killed there ; Wigwam Hill, from the 
Indian squaw's wigwam near it ; Stony Hill, because it was stony ; 
Peggy's Dipping Hole, because Peggy, in her desire to attend upon the 
means of grace furnished at Springfield, ventured, in her pilgrimage thither, 
to cross some recently-frozen ice, and went through into the water ; Steep 
Pitch, because years ago the turn in the road toward the South Village 
from the late Col. John McCray's, was very steep and narrow. 

The Legend of Kibbe's Shirt. — An alarm was once raised in Wik 
braham that the Indians were coming. It was on this wise : One Kibbe 
went into the woods on Sunday, to get his cow, and, not having the fear 
of either God or the law before his eyes, he took with him his gun in case 
he should meet any game. Not long after he left home, the report of two 
guns was heard, and Kibbe came running back in great apparent trepida- 
tion, saying that he had been fired at by two Indians, and that there were 
more lurking in the woods. The whole country was alarmed, and the 
woods were scoured in search of the " salvages." None were found, nor 
were any traces of them discovered. Suspicion began to be excited that 
all was not right with Kibbe. A more particular examination of his shirt 
was instituted. He declared that he received one shot in his breast, and 
when he turned to run, another shot took him in his back. Lo, it was 
even so ; a bullet-hole was made through his shirt before ; another through 
his shirt behind. But alas for Kibbe's veracity, not for his comfort, there 
was no hole into or through his body, where the bullet went ! He saw he 
was caught, and made confession that seeing game, he was tempted to fire ; 
that he at once bethought himself that he was exposed to prosecution for 
violating the Sabbath, and took off his shirt and fired through it, to make 
his neio;hbors believe that the Indians had attacked him. So originated 
and ended the only alarm of an attack upon Wilbraham. 



281 



^pitapljs of some of lb (Buxh Settlers. 



H 


W 


Dye 


d IN 


Ma 


y 26 


1751 


E. 16 



M 


w 


WIF 


e OF 


c W 


Dyed 

1 


lUN 6 1754 


4-7 


E 



Hannah Warner, daughter of Samuel 
Warner, and Mary his wife. 



Mary Warner. 
" C." is used for S. — Samuel Warner. 



Mrs Miriam ye wife 
of Mr Ezra Barker, 
who Died May 26 
1754. Aged 22 years 

alfo of her ftilborn 
daughr by her side 



Thine Anger turns 
our Frame to Dust 
By one O ffe nee 
to The. Adam and all 
his Sons have lost 
there Imortality 



Here lies the Body 
of Mrs Mary Brewer 
late wife of Mr Ifaac 
Brewer who Died 
May ye 20th a.d. 1759. 
Aged ^1-3 years & 2 

months, they were 
marr ied April 22 
1736 & lived together 
23 years & 1 month 



282 



Here lies ye Body of 
Mr. Timothy Mirick 
son of lieut Thomas 
& Mrs Marry Mirrick 
1 who died Agut yth 
1761 in ye 2^rd year 
of his age 



He Cometh forth hke a 
flower and is cut down 
He fleeth also as a shadow 
And comith not 



Here Lies the 
Body of Dea'; 
David Mirick 
who Died Nov'' 

ye 30th iy^7 in ye 59th 
Year of his Age 



It if Sown in 
dishonour It is 
raised in glory. 



Bitten by rattlesnake. 



Here 


lies the 


Body 


of Mr 1 


Noah 


Alvord i 


he Died 


Sept ye 1st 


1763 in 


ye 63rd year 


of his Age 


Death is 


a Debt that 


is natur's Du which 


I have 


Paid & fo 1 


must you. 



In Memory of 
Thank full 
Experience ye 
Daughtr of Mr 
Moses & Mrs 
Hannah Colton 
Who Died May 

ye 1st ijj^ in ye 

16 year of 
her age. 



283 



In 


MeMory of 


M^ 


Moses ColtoN 


wh 


Died of the 


Small Pox Februa 


ry ye 24. th AD 




1777. 


In 


ye 53 year 




of his 




Age. 



IN MEMORy of 
MR NATHANIEL 
BLISS who Died 
Nov 5 AD: 1782 
in ye 4.1th year 
of his Age 

Mark thE par feet 
man & bEhold 
thE upright for 
thE end of that 
man is pEace 



Here lies the 
Body of Lieut 
Jesse Warner 
who died Fe 



bru 



ar 



y y 



20 



th 



AD 1784 

In ye 4.6^^ year 
of his Age 

The fweet Re 
membrancE of ye 
Juft : Shall flourifli 
tho. t^ey fleep in 

DUST. 



ALAS the brittle 
clay in ye morn 

of life Aged 15 DiEd 

Lois Bliss Dau 
ghter of Mr Oli 
ver & Mrs KA 
thaRine Bliss 
August 30th 1786 

youth blooming 
learn your mortal state 
how fra'l your life 
how short ye Date. 



284 



In Memory of 
Deacon Nathaniel Warriner 

who died Jan/^ lo: 1780 In Hif 77**" year 

He difcharged a variety of important offices 
with integrity. He held out the arm of charity 
to the indigent He prized the Gofpel and 
was not unmindful of the cause of Christ in 
his dying moments (a generouf legacy was 
bequeathed by him for the Support of the 
ministry and Schools in this town) 

He was a lover of peace a friend to Zion 
his morals unblemished his piety undifembled. 
He lived beloved, and died lamented 

In hif lait iicknefs a placid cerenity o'er spread 
his countenance, his evidences for heaven were 
clear and satisfactory he bid a cordial welcome 
to the mefsenger of death and fweetly fell afleep 
in Jefus 

Mark the perfect man and behold the upright 
For the end of that man is peace 



285 



In 


memory 


of 


En: 


Abel Blifs 


who 


Died Apl 


ye 30 


A:D 


1762 in 


ye 54th 


year 

All 


of his 


Age 

one 


go unto 


Place all are 


of 


the 


dust and 


all 


turn 

1 


to dust 


again 



Here lies y^ Body 
of Mr Samuel 
Warner who died 

at Lebanon Sep* 10 

A : D 1787. 
in the 75 year 
of his age 



In memory of 
Mr Isaact 
Brewer who 
died May 19'^ 
AD 1788 
in the 75'^ 
year of his 
Age 



286 



SOUTH PAEISH BURYING-GROUND. 



The first burial in the grave-yard of the South Parish was Lydia, a 
child of John Bliss, Esq., March 29, 1755 



In Memory 






of Mrs Sarah 




In Memory 


wife of Mr 




of M' Stephen 


John 




Stebbins 


Langdon 




who died 


who died July 

2 2*^ 1 7 5'5 

Aged 21 




Feb. 26. 1768 

in his 57 year. 


years. 






In memory of 




In Memory of 


L* Paul Langdon 




M"" John Firmin 


who died 




. who departed this life 


Dec. 3^^ I 7 6 I 




Jan''^ 21^' 1802 


In y« 69'^^ Year of 




In the 89"' year 


his Age 




of his age. 



287 



Sacred to the memory of 

M' Ezckiel Russel 

who died Jan'"^ 3*^ 

I 802 

Aged 80 years. 



In Memory of 
Mr Isaac Morris 

who died 

June 2 1805 

in the 57 year 
of his age. 



In Memory of 

Mr David Burt 

who departed this hfe 

July 6*'^ 1809 

in the 73*^ year 

of his age. 



In Memory of 

MXomfort Chaffee 
Who Died 

June 4*^ 181 1 

Aged 74 years 



288 



In 

Memory of 

Capt. Steward Beebe 

who died 

June 13 1824 

M. 72. 



Rev. 
Moses Warren 

Died 

Feb. 19^^^ 1829 

Aged 71 



Blessed are the dead who die 
in the Lord. 



BUKTING-GROUND AT THE FOUR CORNERS. 

The first person buried in the East Burying-Ground was a Shaw. But 
he had no gravestone, as there were woods there, also a pubhc road 
passing through. 



In Memory of 

Mr. Caleb Stebbins 

who died 

Feb. 2 2"^ 1796, 

Aged 86 years. 



In memory of 

Caleb Stebbins, jun. 

who died 

March 28*\ 1787, 

Aged 46 years. 



289 
Sr. gusselCs Spectlj in rcplg to gx. ^kbhxm. 

Dr. Russell was sick the day of the celebration, and though able to be 
at the table was hardly able to speak, and was compelled to leave it once. 
After I had finished my speech, Dr. Russell could not reply, but wrote 
out what he would have said, and sent it for publication. When' the 
excess of matter on hand was discovered, I commenced omitting, and as 
this speech was not delivered, omitted it; but since the town have so 
generously cheered me onward, I have obtained Dr. Russell's consent to 
insert it, though out of place. 

Mr. President : I did not intend to occupy the attention of this assembly 
. another moment. I rise again, simply to say to you, sir, to these neighbors and 
fellow-townsmen, and to my able, learned, and eloquent friend, — the orator of the 
day, — that I take the responsibility to which ho has referred. I will not go around, 
pass by, blink, or shun it in any form. I take it; I take every part and parcel of 
it. Nay, I take the whole responsibility which he has just told you rests on my 
shoulders. 

And I will say further, sir, I have no alarming apprehensions that our good fos- 
ter-mother, the town of Wilbraham, will send either my friend the orator or mj'- 
self to dcmce anywhere within its precincts for our peccadillos. 

I think, sir, that any service that he or I might attempt to perform to Terpsi- 
chore, or be compelled to perform in honor of that graceful goddess, would not 
only not draw a smile of approval from any of the "Sacred Nine," but be so 
essentially ludicrous, that the town will take good care that its soil may never be 
marked by any such "light, fantastic toes," as ours. 

If the powers that be should actually come to any such conclusion as that to 
which the gentleman has referred, either in respect to himself or to me, I should 
I'xpect that they would vote that we should be sent to Wigwam Hill, of which we 
iiave heard so much to-day, to Rattlesnake Peak, or to Prospect Heights, and that 
the dancing should all be done at a time when neither sun, nor moon, nor stars for 
many days had been seen. And I should expect further, sir, after any such per- 
formance on our part, that the scene of the dance on the heath in Shakespeare's 
Macbeth, would be so far outdone that we should always have an engagement 
when that great tragedy comes on the stage. 

But, sir, let all this pass. It so happens that the gentleman and myself have 
been acquainted in other days. Ho knows me, and I know him. It may seem 
surprising to this assembly, for a good many reasons, — yet so it was, — I had the 
honor of being tutor of his class, during its Sophmore year in college. On my 
part, sir, it was an honor wholly undeserved, as I am willing to confess and deny 
not. I heard him, therefore, in Greek and mathematics all that year. In the 
Lyrics of Pindar, the Tragedies of Sophocles, the Orations of Demosthenes, or 
the demonstrations of the sections of the cone, he always did in the recitation 
room, Mr. President, just as he has done before us all to-day. He was never found 
in the vocative. He was always thorough, manly, clear. He always grasped 
with a strong hand, and made the most of himself and of everything around him 
that deserved his attention. He was always primus inter pares, as he is to-day in 

37 



290 

the religious body with which he stands connected. And further, sir, he was a 
man of unblemished integrity and honor when a Sophmgre in college. The 
smell of no strange or hazing fire ever passed upon him, or through him upon 
others, at that period. And if this be not saying all that can be said of any man 
in commendation, then I shall be compelled to go to school and learn how more 
can be uttered. I assume, therefore, Mr. President, the responsibility which he 
has told you, rests upon me. I expect your thanks, sir, and some distinguished 
memorial from the town of Wilbraham, for the service I have rendered in this 
matter, instead of being sent to dance on Wigwam Hill or Rattlesnake Peak. 

I avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. President, to tender to the Committee of 
Arrangements and Town of Wilbraham my thanks for the honor conferred in 
designating me as the speaker on this anniversary occasion. In my estimation, Mr. 
President, they could have bestowed on me no higher mark of their confidence and 
esteem. I appreciate their kindness and their partiality, and shall ever cherish its 
memory. I must say, Mr. President, that I never declined a service required at my 
hands with more hesitation, with more lingering, affectionate regret, than the one to 
which reference has been made by my friend the orator of the day. Could I have 
done otherwise, I shovild not have so done, though it must have marred what have 
been to us the festivities, the high enjoyments of this occasion. 

It is no outsider's business, Mr. President, what things we say here to-day in 
this family gathering. It is nobody's business but our own, Avhat things my friend 
the orator shall put into his book of Magnalia or Memorabilia of this now ancient 
town of Wilbraham. He will have such a book, without any question. And no 
native-born inhabitant, after its publication, will ever be deemed of age till he shall 
iiave read it. 

I say, then, Mr. President, and I know that you will agree with me, that there 
is no such spot on earth as this said town of Wilbraham. If the waters of the At- 
lantic or of the beautiful ^Egean were poured around it, a Gi'eek would believe it, 
without any question, one of the happy islands of the blessed. As it is, there are 
in it Elysian Fields. Where does the approaching morn sow the dewy landscape 
with more sparkling pearls ? or the beams of departing day paint the mountain- 
tops in richer gold ? Where, to us, does the sun shine brighter than on these hills 
and valleys and streams 1 

Why, sir, the herds and the flocks that pace to and fro in their feeding-grounds, 
bask in the shade, or drink at the springs, ajii^ear to be the vei'itable descend- 
ants of those that listened to Orpheus of old, and make us suppose that the advo- 
cates of the modern development theory must have studied all they ever learned 
of the animal kingdom here. The ponds for swimming, the fish of the streams, 
the squirrels, the partridges and "coons" of the mountains, and the muskrats of the 
meadows, are better here than anywhere else. Had iEsop lived in Wilbraliam, 
Mr. President, there is but little question that his fox-literature, in the shape 
of fables, would have been of a much loftier cast, and would have pushed all the 
quailing urchins in Hampden County, that have been compelled to plod through 
his quadruped lore, into much more wisdom and sagacity than most of them now 
possess. 

The Avater-privileges are better here than elsewhere. And of this, the mills 
and water-wheels and trij)-hammers of days that are never to be forgotten, are 
the proof. Nowhere can Milton and Goldsmith and Thompson, and especially 



291 

that miignificent " HA-mn to the Seasons," be so effectuall)' studied, and its power 
felt, as along these slopes and forests and woodlands. " Spring " paid its earliest 
and its sweetest visits here. The song of " earliest bird " nowhere poured sueh 
music on our ears, and " the glory of the Summer months " has been nowhere so 
bright and effulgent to our eyes. Nowhere has the " live thunder " leaped, and 
the tempest poured, in more grandeur and sublimity than along these hills ; and 
nowhere has the " fragranee after showers " been sweeter or more ravishing to 
our sense. Here brown Autumn has lingered in the lap of the summer-months, 
and crowned the year with plenty. Winter itself has been grand and majestic as 
the storm has swept along these mountain-sides and howled through the valleys. 
And it has been unutterably beautiful when every tree of the forest and of the field 
has been seen bending under its icy burden, and the rays of an unclouded morning's 
sun have been broken into all the colors of the bow on the cloud, and poured in 
tides of sparkling splendor on the vision. To us, Mr. President, "beauty has 
literally walked forth " here. " The softening air has been balm, and every sense, 
and every heart has been joy." To us it is all hallowed with the associations of 
childhood and youth. The schoolmasters are not forgotten. Weld and Bennet 
and Henry ought to be immortalized to-day, for they have done good in their 
generation. From their lips the mysteries of Dabol and Pike, in arithmetic, and 
of Murray, in grammar, have fallen by piecemeals on our ears. They deserve our 
thanks, as also that leader of the choir, and now a deacon, whose sharp glances 
were such a terror to those boys who used to sit "up gallery" in those "pen- 
pews," crack nuts and piay "in meeting." There are female teachers, among 
the living, here, that have won for themselves an enviable renown, and need no 
commendation from us to stimulate their exertions and perpetuate their high use- 
fulness. They are, and have long been, sir, an ornament to the town, and will 
never be forgotten by those who scan the influences that give shape and com- 
plexion to its history. But, Mr. President, I must take my seat, and leave the 
orator of the day responsible for this whole train of remarks from me. 

There is a beautiful myth the substance of which is, that the Goddess Venus, on 
a journey, came to the banks of the Ccphissus, before Athens, and l)eing weary 
and taint, — as such celestials must of course have been, — she slaked her thirst at 
this delicious stream, and then breathed out her sweet breath, which henceforth 
became the atmosphere of all Attica. Hence the softness and the balm, it is said, 
of those classic skies. 

But something more real and precious than Grecian divinities liave breathed 
tliis air and looked out upon the prospect that here limits our vision. Your 
mother and mine, Mr. President, have here lived, here breathed out their prayers, 
and from these scenes have gone to their rest. Ought not this atmos])hcre to be to 
us balm, the ground itself hallowed, where sleeps such dust, and every object here 
to stir us with emotions that shall ennoble and exalt us while we live ? 

I repeat the declaration, therefore, already made, that I declined the service ten- 
dered me with many misgivings, while I knew there were hands more competent 
than my own to the task. I still tender my thanks to the Committee of Amingc- 
ments and the Town for their kind regards, and to the orator of the day for the 
very able and eloquent manner in which the duty assigned him has been dis- 
charjied. 



292 



^i^ncijlogbs of tlj^ Jfiimilics of some of tin Jfirst 
Settlers of Milbraljam. 

I have not obtained all the genealogies I sought for, but such as I have 
obtained, I give. I do not hold myself responsible for their entire accu- 
racy ; but presume that they are as accurate as such tables usually are. I 
have not been at the labor of reconstructing them on one principle, but 
have printed them nearly in the manner in which they came into my hands. 
I think they will be intelligible to those who are interested to study them. 
The Coltons are nearly all gone. So of the Joneses and the Elys. The 
Shaws, and Glovers, and Bartletts are all gone, I believe. Nathaniel 
Bliss's family are all gone ; so of the Lyons, and Carpenters, and Woods, 
and Skinners, and Badgers. Of the thirteen families of Stebbinses, once 
in the South Parish, there is but one family of the name left having chil- 
dren. The genealogy closes usually when a family leaves town, or a 
female marries out of the name. The abbreviations will be readily under- 
stood : b. born, m. married, d. died. 



BEEBE FAMILY. 

Lieut. Samuei^ Beebe came from East Haddam, Ct., to reside in Wilbraham, about the 
year 1772. He married, but the name of liis Wife is unknown, and also tlie time of her 
death. They had two children, Stewart and Samuel, Jr. Samuel Beebe died October 
1, 1780, in the 6Ist year of his age. 

Samuel Beebe, Jr., married, but the maiden name of his wife is unknown. They had one 
child named Samuel, who was married to Azubah Miner, and removed to Western New 
York. Samuel Beebe, Jr., died Feb. 15, 1775, in the 23d year of his age. His wife 
afterwards married Joel Stebbins. She died Jan. 22, 1S09, in the (iOth year of her age. 

Stewart Beebe, sou of Samuel Beebe, was born in East Haddam, Ct., and removed with 
his father to Wilbraham. He was married, April 13, 1775, to Hannah Butler. They 
had one child, named Margaret, who died in infancy. Hannah, wife of Stewart Beebe, 
died Dec. IS, 1770, aged 20 years. Jan. 14, 1779, he was again married to Huldah Beebe, 
of Lyme, Ct. ; They had eight children: Stewart, Hannah, Margaret, Walter, Huldah, 
Khoda (who died in infancy), Rlioda, and Samuel. Huldah, wife of Stewart Beebe, 
died Oct. 14, 1803, in the 4oth year of her age. He was afterwards married to Doro- 
thy Colton, of Springfield. In the year 1792, he received a captain's commission 
from John Hancock, at that time governor of Massachusetts. Stewart Beebe died 
June 13, 1825, aged 72 years. He was a man of influence in the town and held many 
important offices. Dorotliy, his wife, died June 1, 1843, aged 81 years. 

Stewart Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, graduated at Williams College in the year 1803. He 
married Sophia Gilbert, of Hebron, Ct. They had five children : Junius, Lucius, 
Marcus, Decius, and Cyrus. Stewart Beebe died Oct. 7, 1S51, aged 72. Sophia, his wife, 
died Sept. 20, 1855, aged 70. 

Junius Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, married Jane Phillips, of Wheeling, Va. He was 
killed by an accident on the Mississippi Kiver, Dec. 13, 1850, aged 41 years. 

Lucius Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, married Sylenda Morris, of Wilbraham. 



293 

Marcus Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, married Jlaria Walker, of Woodstock, Ct. They 

have had seven children : Junius, Luciuda M., Lucy J., Susan S., Mary S., EinniaO., 

(who died March 28, 1857, aged three years and six months), and Marcus. 
Decius Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, married Lucinda Lane, of Charlestown, N. J. They 

had four children: Maria L., Phebe C, Cyrus, and Decius. Lucinda, wife of Decius 

Beebe, died 3Lay 25, 1855, aged 36. 
Cyrus Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, died in the year 1843, in the 20th year of his age. 
Hannah, daughter of Stewart Beebe, married Jared Cone, of Wilbraham. They removed 

to Ohio, where she died. 
jl/a7-<7«re<, 'daughter of Stewart Beebe, married Martin Richardson, of Otsego, Ohio. Slie 

died in the year 1855, aged 72. 
Walter Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, graduated at Williams College in the year 1810. He 

married Mary McHollum, of Lancaster, Penn. Walter Beobe died at Cadiz, Ohio, 

Jan. 24, 1836, aged 50. 
Rhoda, daughter of Stewart Beebe, married William Shatwell, of Cadiz, Ohio. 
nuhlah,aixng\\io\- of Stewart Beebe, died Nov. 18, 1843, aged 55. 
Samuel. Beebe, son of Stewart Beebe, was married Dec. 3, 1818, to Eunice McCray, of liol- 

ton, Ct. They have had nine children: Eleazer S., John S., Ricliard S., Sarali, Albert 

S., aud Elizabeth, and three who died in infancy. 
Eleazer S., son of Samuel Beebe, married Harriet S. Force, of Hebron, Ct. 
John S., son of Samuel Beebe, married Ellen M. Dickerman, of Westfield, Mass. They 

have had five children: Eunice M., John D. (who died in infancy), Samuel D., Ellen 

M., and Charles H. 
Richard S., son of Samuel Beebe, married Mary P. Salisbury, of Stafford, Ct. 



\X 



B REWER FAMJL J^ 

(1) Isaac Brewkr was the fourth son of Rev. Daniel Brewer, and Katharine (Chauncey). 

He was b. in Springfield, Nov. 25, 1713, and m. Mary Bliss (dr. of Ebeiiezer and Mary 
Bliss, of Springfield), April 22, 1736; they settled in Wilbraham; he was a farmer; had 
seven children; d. May 9, 17S8. His wife d. May .30, 1759. Mr. Brewer m. a second 
wife, who survived him, but who removed to Simsbury, Ct., and d. there. Their chil- 
dren were, — 

(2) Mary, b. 17.37, m. Jermiah Snow, and lived in Northampton ; (2) Katharine, b. June 
8, 1738, m. Oliver Bliss, of Wilbraham, March 8, 1759; (2) Eunice, b. April 20. 1740, 
m. Joseph Stebbhis, of Springfield; (2) Isaac, b. Aug. 17, 1742, m. Sybil Miller, of 
Ludlow, and settled there, was a farmer; (2) William, b. Nov. 8, 1744 ; (2) ('harle>^, 
b. Dec. 18, 1748, O. S.; (2) Gains, b. Aug. 28, 1753. 

(2) William, son of Isaac and Mary Brewer, m. 3Iercy Ely. Their children were,— 

(3) Mercy, b. April 20, 1775, m. David Hitchcock, of Wilbraham ; (3) William, b. July 14, 
1777, d. April 0, 1851 ; (3) Luke, b. Aug. 7, 1779. d. Nov. 4, 1849; (3) Luther, b. May 7, 
1782; (3) Timothy, b. July 12, 1784; d. Jan. 10, 18i".3; (3) Eunice, b. Dec. 31, 1787, ni. 
John Morgan, of Wilbraham, and settled in Vt. Mercy, the mother, d. Oct. 4, 1802, 
and the father m. Jemima Boltwood, of Amherst. They had one son, — 

Solomon, b. 1809, d. March 14, 1814. Jemima, the mother, d. July 29, 1850. 
(?); Charles, the son of Isaac and Mary Brewer, ra. Anna Chatterton, of New Haven. He 
was a cabinet-maker and lived most of his life in Wilbraham. Ho d. Dec. 23, 18.36, 
aged 88. Anna, his wife, d. June -30, 1832, aged 78. Their children were, - 

(3) Charles, b. Jan. 23, 1775; d. .Sept. 28, 1853; (3) Samuel, b. April 2, 1777, m. Lois Bliss, of 

Wilbraham, d. Oct. 1, 1862; (3) Anson, Oct. 17, 1779, d. from the bite of a mad fox, Oct. 
1, 1790; (3) Hannah, b. ilarch 17, 1782, m. John Merrick, Dec. 17. 1804; (3) Anna, b. 
Jan. 15, 1784; m. Thomas Merrick, Jan., 1807, d. Oct. 6, 1847; (3) Calvin, b. Feb. 16, 
1787, m. Flavia Phelps, of Windsor, May 25, 1820; (3) Susan, b. Jan. 1790, m. CnjU. 
David Thomas, b. March 10, 1834, and settled in Louisiana; (3) Daniel, b. Oct., 1792, 
m. Emma S. Whitmore, Dec. 31, 1820, and settled in Baltimore, d. Jan. 13. 1841 ; (3) 
Anson- Lorenzo, b. Feb. 22, 1800, m. 1st, Harriet Dunbar, 2d, Sarah A. Ei.dlcy, set- 
tled in New Lisbon, Ohio. 



294 

(2) Gaius, son of Isaac and Mar}' Brewer, ni. Lucretia Babeock, Jan. 21, 1778. He was a 

• blacksmith, and lived in Wilbraliam; d. Dec. 7, 1843. She d. Oct. 19, 1829. Their 
cliildren were, — 

(3) Lucretia, b. Oct. 26, 1778, m. Elislia B.*Boltwood, of Amherst; (3) John, b. Feb. 
23,1780, m. Emily Vose, of Boston, was a blacksmith, and lived in Wilbrabam, d. 
March 12, 1860; (3) Nancy, b. Nov. 7, 1781, m. Charles Moody, of South Hadley; she 
d. Oct. 8, 1855; (3) Sarah, b. July 9, 1783, m. Capt. Enos Battles, of Granby, d. June 
29, 1854; (3) Henry, b. Aug.22, 1785, d. Oct. 11, 1832; (3) Lucinda, b. July 21, 1787, m. 
Mr. Crane, of Dalton, a paper-manufacturer ; (3) Mary, b. Oct. 17, 1789, m. Oliver Colt, 

of Hinsdale; (3) Andrew, b. June 25, 1792; (3) James, b. , m. Eliza Beals, of 

Boston. 

(3) William, son of AVilliam and Mercy Brewer, m. Jemima Bliss, Jan. 4, 1803. Jemima, 

the mother, d. July 5, 1854. Their children were, — 

(4) Belinda Cordelia, b. Auj;. 5, 1805, m. Abraham Avery, Sen., of Wilbraham, May 6, 
1852; (4) William Ely, b. March 4, 1807 ; (4) Eloisa F., b. March 26, 1809, m. Perry 
Goodell, April 30, 1847; (4) Elizabeth Bartlett, b. June 3, 1811, m. John B. Rice, of 
Weymouth; (4) Henry Bridgman, b. July 7, 1813; (4) Edwin Bliss, b. April 11, 1815; 
(4) Sarah Stebbius, b. xiug. 11, 1817, and lives in Wilbraham; (4) Moses Knowlton, b. 
Oct. 17, 1819; (4) Jemima Boltwood, b. Dec. 8, 1823, m. Samuel Ward, and lives in 
Cambridge, 3Iass. 

(3) Lulce, son of AYilliam and Jlercy Brewer, m. Mary Bliss, of Wilbraham; 2d wife. Miss 
Hall. He removed to Ohio, and d. Their children were, — 
(4) Maria, b, Oct. 15, 1803, m. Jesse Bishop, and lives in Springfield; (4) rermelia, b. 

July 23, 1805, d. ; Mary, b. , m. Kendall, and lives in Springfield; (4) 

Franci?, b. , m. , settled in Ohio; (4) Louisa, b. ; (4) Edward P., b. 

April 8, 1819; (4) Lucy, b. . 

(3) Luther, son of AVilliam and Mercy Brewer, m. Laura Merrick, of Wilbraham. He was 
a physician, and practised medicine in Wilbraham, some years and afterwards gave 
his attention to larming. Their children were, — 
(4) Luther Lycortas, b. Oct. 26, 1S16, practised medicine in Baton Eouge, La., d. June 
23, 1845, at Wilbraham; (4) Ajalon, b. Feb. 4, 1S19, a student of medicine, d. Dec. 18, 
1840; (4) James Merrick, b..BIarch 24, 1821; (4) Emelius, b. May 0, 1823, editor, and 
practised law at Port Gibson, La., d. April 6, 1855; (4) Myron, b. April 23, 1825, m. 
Laura Luce Oct. 15, 1862; (4) Mary Cornelia, b. May 19, 1829, m. Daniel Herbert, of 
New Jersey, and resides there ; (4) Josephine, b. Dec. 30, 1831, m. Gideon K. Gilbert, 
of New Haven, Ct., Sept. 26, 1855, and removed to Minnesota. 

(3) Timnthy, son of William and Mercy Brewer, m. Mary Fuller, of Wilbraliam. Their 
children were, — 
(4) Isaac, b. Nov. 21, 1809; (4) Sophia Fuller, b. Sept. 11, 1812, m. Joseph G. Eustice, 
July 22, 1855, and lives in Wilbraham; (4) Timothy Brainard, b. April 2, 1815, d. Nov. 

28, 1861; (4) Solomon B., b. May 29, 1817; (4) Amos, b. 3Iarch 18, 1819. m. Smith, 

and settled in Sheffield. Timothy, the father, d. Jan. 10, 1863. 

(3; Charles, son of Charles and Anna Brewer, m. Dorcas Smith, of So. Hadley. Their 
children were, — 

(4) Charles Franklin, b. July 23, 1806, d. in Palmer, ; (4) Catharine Chauncy, b. 

Dec. 29, 1810, m. Thomas N. Harding, of Southbridge, Dec. 25, 1834; where they re- 
side; (4) Charles Chatterton, b. , d. ; (4) Dorcas Sophia, b. April 29, 1816, 

resides in Abiugton; (4) Harriet Ann Susan, b. Sept. 9, 1818, m. Benjamin Sherman, 
and lives in Abington. Dorcas, the mother, d. Oct. 2, 1822. Charles, the father, m. 
for his 2d wife, Frances Rice, of Granby, Ct. Their children were, — 
(4) Anson Chatterton, b. Slay 22, 1826; (4) Hiram Marshall, b. March 25j 1829; (4) Fran- 
ces Cornelia, b. Jan. 10, 1831, d. ; (4) Daniel Delos, b. March 22, 1833, m. and 

lives in Slinnesota ; (4) Julia J., b. Jan. 28, 1835, m. William Bidwell, and lives in 
ColUusville, Ct.; (4) Wilbur Fisk, b. May 3, 1838, m. Carrie Coomes, of Lougmeadow, 
.June 5, 1862, and live in Springfield. 

(3) Calvin, son of Cliarles and Anna Brewer, m. Flavia Phelps, of Windsor, Ct., May 25, 
1820. Their children were, — 
(4) Daniel Lorenzo, b. Jan. 9^ 1822, m. Louisa McDaniel June 29, 1848, and settled in 



295 

Louisiana, was a lawyer, and was liilled on board tlie Princess, by an explosion, Feb. 

27, 1850; (4) Flavia Ann, b. April, 182:?, d. in La., . Flavin, the motlier, d'. May 

17, 1823. Tlie father m. 2d, 3Iary Case, of Coventry, Ct., June 1, 1825. Their chil- 
dren were, — • 

(4) Harriet C. M., b. Nov. G, 1827, ni. Joseph Newell, of Mississippi, March, 1847; (4) 

Mary Jennett, b. Feb. 11, 18:i0, m. William H. Porter, of New Orleans, d. April '.), 

1S58; (4) Samuel George, b. April 17, 1832, d. Feb. 14, 1843. 

(3) Henry, sou of Gaius and Lucretia, ra. Louisa Burt, of Longmeadow. He d. Oct. 11, 

1832. She d. Dec. 17, 185G. Tlieir children were, — 

(4) Lydia Hall, b. Aug., 1812, m. Dr. Edwin N. Colt, 1832, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y.; 

(4) Blary Swift, b. 1814, m. Samuel D. Cooley, of Palmer, 18.39, d. 1840 ; (4) Henry 
Burt, b. 1818. 

(3) Andrew, son of Gaius and Lucretia Brewer, m. Luciuda Chapin, Feb. 22, 1810. Their 

children were, — 
(4) Luciuda A., b. Jan. 27, 1820, m. Samuel D. Cooley, of Palmer, Jan. 27, 1810; (4) 
Eliza, b. Marcli 12, 1822, in. Hiram B. Abbe, of Enfiold, d. May 24, 1840; (4) Dwi<;ht 
Andrew, b. Sept. 4, 1827. The mother d. July S, 1827. Andrew m. 2d, Martha AV'ood- 
ward. Tlieir child was, — 

(4) Martlia E., b. Aug. 28, 18.38, m. Myron A. Bliss, July 4, 1859. 

(4) WUlium Ely lireiver, son of AVilliam and Jemima, m. Mrs. Eliza T. Norris, 1810. Their 

children were, — 

(5) Emerson G., b. Dec. 7, 1841 ; (5) Julia H., b, June 25, 1843, ni. George W. Clement. 
Dec. 9, 1802, live in Willoughby, Ohio; (5) William L., b. Oct. 19, 1849; (5) Francis 
H., July n, 1.-49. 

(4) Henry liridgman, son of William and Jemima Brewer, m. Lucretia L. Giddings. Their 
children were, — 
(5) Susan J., b. May 8, 1842, m. Flavel Benton, Feb. 24, 18G3, and lives in Wilbraham; 

(5) Walter G., b. Aug. 4, 1843, soldier 37th Keg. JLass. Vols.; (5) George G. b. Nov. 

28, 1847; (5) Herbert W., b. March 27, 1850. Lucretia S., the mother, d. Dec. v5, 
1853. H. Bridgman, then m. Mary A. Butchers, Aug. 31, 1854. Their children 
•were, — 

(5) Charles B., b. March 8, 185(5 ; (5) Laura Lucretia, b. Nov. 4, 1857 ; (5) Mary, b. March 
27, 1801. The ftimlly removed to Pelham, Mass. 
(4) Edwin Bliss, son of William and Jemima, m. Eliza Spencer, of Middlctown, Ct., 1847. 
Their children were, — 
(5) Addison Spencer, b. Jan. 0, 1849, d. Aug. 23, 1852; Francis Caroline, b. Nov. 27, 
1851; (5) Edwin Avery, b. Oct. 3, 1853; (5) Mary Ellen, b. Oct. 7, 1855; (5) Freder- 
ick Gridley, b. Oct. 27, 1859, d. Sept. 20, 1801; (5) Emma Palmer, b. July 17, 1803. 
(4) James Merrick, son of Luther and Laura Brewer, m. Eliza Gilbert, Sept. 9, 1847. Their 
children were, — 
(5) Anna Gilbert, b. Jan. 23, 1851 ; (5) James, b. Feb. 17, 1854, d. April 0, 1854. 
(4) Jsaac, son of Timothy and Mary Brewer, m. Lydia Loveland. Their child was, — 

(5) Martha S., b. Dec, 1842, m. William H. Day Nov., 1802. 
(4) Timothy Brainard, son of Timothy and Mary Brewer, m. Mary A. Lawton, of Hard- 
wick, Sept., 1844. Tlieir child was, — 
(5) Mary Puller, b. Aug. 11, 1^55. 
(4) Solomon B., sou of Timothy and Mary Brewer, m, 3Iary Jane Olds, Nov. IS, 1852. Their 
children were, — 
(5) Amos D., b. Jan. 13, 1854 ; (5) Brainard M., b. Nov. -30, 1857; (5) Lillian J., b. Jlay 3, 
1800; (5) Prudence O., b Feb. 21, 1802. 
(4) Charles Franklin, son of Charles and Dorcas Brewer, m. Diantha Hunt. Then- chil- 
dren were, — 
(5) Amanda Melissa, b. June 1, 1831 ; (5) George Monroe, b. Oct. 13, 1832. They removed 
to Palmer, wliere the iatlier d. . 

(4) Anson, son of Charles and Frances Brewer, m. 1st, Clarinda CiiafTee; 2d wile. Marietta 
Cady, June, 1855. Their children were,— 
(5) Charles Anson, b. Aug. 17, l.'^SO; (5) Oscar Cady, June 9, 1858. 
(4) Hiram M., son of Charles and Frances Brewer, m. Mary Staunton. Iheir child wus,- 



296 

(5) Mary Staiiutoii, b. May 22, 1850, d. Jan., 1SG3. The mother d. May, 1859. The father 

m. 2d wife, Ellen F. Lawton, May 1.3, lS(iO. TJieir cliild was, — 
(5) Ella, b. Sept. 26, 1801. 
(4) Henry Burt, son of Henry and Louisa Brewer, m. Sirs. Anna Colt. Their child was, — 

(5) Edward Henry, b. Dec. 12, 1851. 
Dwiffht Andrew, son of Andrew and Lucinda Brewer, m. Elmira Turner. Their cliildren 
were, — 
(5) Alfred Dwiglit, b. Xov. 18, 1857; (5) Charles Artliur, b. Jan. 21, 1800; (5) Emma 
Louisa, b. July 5, 1802. 



BLISS (ABEL) FAMILY. 

Thomas Bmss came from England; m. Margaret ; had a son Samuel, who m. Miiry 

Leonard, Nov. 10, 1005. Samuel liad a son, Thomas, b. Feb. 8, 1088, who had a son, 
Abel, b. iroO; m. Jemima Chapin, Jan. 10, 1730. Tliis Abel was the renowned 
Ensign Abel Bi.iss, who, as tradition says, "did carry six bushels of salt on liis back all 
at one time." His children were, — 

Oliver, b. Nov. 20, 1730; Abel, b. Oct. 10, 1738; Jemima, b. Nov. 12, 1740, m. Capt. L. 
AUis; Silas, b. Nov. 15, 1743; Levi, b. April 29, 17-15. 
Oliver Bliss m. Catharine Brewer March 8, 1759. Their children were, — 

Achsah, b. March 13, 1700, m. Kev. Henry Ely, of Wilbraham; Mary, b. Feb. 4, 1702, 
m. Kev. Joel Hayes; Catharine, b. April 24, 1704, d. Oct., 1792; Jemima, b. July 9, 
17()0, d. Jan., 1774; Eunice, b. Feb. 5, 1709, m. Kev. Richard Ely, of Saybrook, Ct. ; 
Lois, b. March 20, 1771, d. Aug. 30, 1786; Oliver, b. Nov. 11, 1773, d. Sept. 19, 1824; 
Pliny, b. Nov. 10, 1776; John, b. Aug. 9, 1779. 
Abel Bliss, h. Oct. 10, 1738, d. Nov. 23, 1821; Elizabeth Bartlett, his wife, b. Feb., 1744, d. 
March 8, 1788 ; were m, Sept. 28, 1769. Their children were, — 
Koxy, b. Jan. 21, 1772, d. April 12,1844; Judah, b. March, 1773, d. July 4, 1775; Abel, 
b. May 24, 1775, d. Jan. 15, 1853 ; Judah, b. Jan. U, 1777. d. Nov. 30, 1845; Jemima, b. 

March 10, 1779, d. ; Lois, b. Sept. 20, 1781, d. ; Moses Bridgman, b. Aug. 

28, 1783, d. 1783, and Miriam I'helps, b. Aug. 2S, 1783, d. 1783, were twins; Elizabeth, 
b. Jan. 29, 1788, d. Dec. 27, 1851. 
Abel Bliss, son of Abel and Elizabeth Bliss, m. Phebe Lathrop, of Norwich, Ct., Oct. 21, 
180L Their children were, — 
Mary Battis, b. Aug. 22, 1802, d. Sept. 27, 1805; Laurins Lathrop, b. Nov. 20, 1803, d. 
Sept. 22, 1805 ; Nancy, b. Sept. 4, 1805, d.Oct. 3, 1855-; John Wesley, b. Sept. 25, 1807; 
Abel, b. Feb. 9, 1810 ; George, b. April, 1812; Harriet, b. Nov. 5, 1713 ; William Lath- 
rop, b. March 25, 1810,, d. March 2,, 1850;- Moses Bridgmau, b. March 8, 1818; George 
Hyde, b. April 27, 1820. 
Nancy Bliss, dr. of Abel and Phebe Bliss, m. Hev. Wm. Smith, of Canada. Their chil- 
dren were, — 
AVm. Augustus; Julia, d. in infancy;. Charles Edward. Nancy Bliss m. Dr. Jesse W. 
Kice for 2d husband. 
John Wesley Bliss, son of Abel and Phebe Bliss, m. Mary Ann Langdon, Nov. 20, 1834. 
Their child was, — 
Sarah Hall, b. April 29, 1839. 
Abel Bliss, iion of Ahc\ aud Phebe Bliss, ra. Lucinda Blukc,.of Springfield, May 6,1841. 
Their children were, — 
Mary Blake; Wm. Smith; H.Maria; Ellen J.; Josephme; Abel; Allice. 
Wm. Lathro]), son of Abel and Phebe Bliss, m. Jane E. Barnett, of Westville, Ct. Their 

child d. in infancy. ' 
Moses Bridcjinan Bliss, son of Abel and Phebe Bliss, m. Martha Jane Fuller, of Pittston, 
Me. Their children were, — 
Charles; Wilbur; Frederick; Nellie Jane. 
George Hyde Bliss, son of Abel and Phebe Bliss, m. Louisa Coe, of Middlefield, Ct. Their 
children were, — 
Emma Louisa; Selina Coe. Geo. H. Bliss m. for 2d wife, Mary Patrick, of Granby, 
Mass. Their children were, — 



297 



Fanny L.; Maria; Mary Ann; Ella Simpson. 
Silas miss, son of Ensign Abel and Jemima Bliss, m. Miriam Bliss, of Springfield, 1769, 

and removed to Cazenovia, N. Y., 180-^. They had ten children. 
Levi Bliss, son of Ensign Abel and Jemima Bliss, m. Martha Miller, of Springfield, Dec. 
22, 1768. Their children were, — 
Gains, b. Oct. 20, 1709, d. Aug. 3, 1786; Gordon, b. Feb. 8, 1771, drowned, April 29, 1799; 
Levi, b. Dee. 2, 1772; Patty, b. March 12, 1775, m. Noah Saxton; Leonard, b. June 
21, 1777, drowned April 29, 1799 ; Catharine, b. July 10, 1779, m. Stephen Jones; Lucrc- 

tia, b. Jan. 24, 1781, ra. James Morgan; Asenath,b 18, 1783, drowned April 

29, 1799; Lovina, b. Sept. 12, 1785, m. Stephen Work; Harriet, b. Feb. 8, 1790; 
d. July 23, 1818. 
Pliny Bliss, son of Oliver and Catharine Bliss, m. Rhoda Jennison, of Walpole, N. H., 

June, 1812, and removed to Cincinnati, Sept., 1815. He d. March 3, 1854.* 
John Bliss, son of Oliver and Catharine Bliss, m. Mrs. Harriet B. Merrick, April 13, 1817. 
Their child was; — 
Catharine M.iry Ann Antoinette, b. April 13, 1818, m. Rev. S. W. Speer, D. D., Natches, 
Miss. 
Levi Bliss, son of Levi and Martha Bliss, m. Statira Shepherd, March 17, 1810. Their chil- 
dren were : — 
Levi R., b. Feb. 10, 1811; Lorenzo, b. Dec. 22,1844; Robert B. W., b. May 20, 1820; 

Martha Miller, b. , m. E. W. Reed. 

Levi Ji. Bliss, son of Levi and Statira Bliss, m. Sarah E. Perry, Dec. 10, 1840. Their chil- 
dren were : — 
Maria E., b. Nov. 21, 1841 ; Mary L,, b. July 6, 1843; George L. R., b. March 5, 1845 ; 
Sarah J., b. Dec. 24, 1840, d. Aug. 12, 1848. 
Lorenzo Bliss, son of Levi and Statira Bliss, m. Clarissa W. Miller, Sept. 10, 1837. Their 
children were: — 
Clarissa Miller, b. March 25, 1838; Henry H., b. March 24, 1840; Nancy Henrietta 

H., b. March 19, 1842, d. ; Ellen R., b. Oct. 15, 1844; Lorenzo Edward, b. May 

31, 1847 ; Joseph M., b. March 5, 1850. 
liobt. B. W. Bliss, son of Levi and Statira Bliss, ni. Rowena Colton. Their children were : 
Amelia R., b. Nov. 24, 1844; Myron R., b. Sept 4, 1840; Josephine E., b. Sept. 11, 1848; 
Andrew, b. June 13, 1850. 



BURT FAMILY. 

Henry Burt, the ancestor of the Burts, was deacon in the first church in Springfield. 
His grandson's name was Moses, who settled in Wilbraham. He had a son named Moses. 
All the children of this last Moses died childless, except Moses Burt, who now lives at an 
advanced age, in Springfield, and one sister of his. 

Moses Burt's family consisted of six sons and two daughters. Four of the sons died 
before marriage. Two sons only remain. But one of them has children, — one sou and 
two daughters. 



THE CHAVIN (ABNER) FAMILY. 
Dea. Samuel Ch apin, the head of all the Chapins, hereabout, at least, came, as is supposed 
by some, from Wales. He took the freeman's oath in Boston, June 2, 1041, and re- 
moved to Springfield in 1042. The name of his wife was Cisily. The name of then- 
second son was Henrv, who m., Dec. 0, 16G4, Bethia Cooley, of Longmeadow. Ihey 
had a son, Henry, b. March 19, 1079; m. second wife, Esther Bliss, May 10, 1710. They 
had a son, Abner, b. July 25, 1722. This is the man who settled on the south bank of 
the Scantic, about 1748. He m., Dec. 23, 1742, Abigail Warner; and a second wife, Tab- 
itha Allen, Feb. or March, 1781 . Their children were : — 

* Pliny Bliss was an enterprising man, and was noted as a pioneer in navigating the 
western waters. He established the first steam-ferry at Cincinnati. 
38 



298 



Abner, b. May 29, 1749, d. April 1, 1S14; Abigail, b. May 14, 1751, m. John Langdon ; 

Esther, b. Dec. 7, 1753, m. Timothy Brown; Margaret, b. Sept. 14, 1755, m. Stephen 

Davis; Lucy, b. Auf^. 19, 1757, m. Asa Bullard; Maria, b. June 7, 1700, ni. Abner 

Cooley; Samuel, b. Juue 30, 1702, d. April 14, 1837; Timothy, b. March 5, 1704, d. 

Oct. 5, 1840; Asenath, b. Dec. 0, 1782, m. Croclcer Waterhouse. 
Abner, son of Abner and Abigail, m. Khoda Kibbe. Their children were : — 

Abner, b. Jan. 12, 1771, m. Polly Adams, May .30, 1795 ; Araariah, b. Jan. 11, 1773, m. 

Lovina Geluton; Oliver, b. Dec. 8, 1774, d. Oct., 177G; Rhoda, b. Oct. 8, 1776, m. Elijah 

P. Russell; Diadema, b. Sept. 4, 1778, m. Zeno King; Beulah, b. Feb. 26, 1785, m. 

Uriel Cone; Daniel Shays (!!), b. Jan. 27, 1787, ni. 3Iarinda Hill; Mary, b. April 7, 

1789, m. Cyrus Crane. 
Samuel Chapin, son of Abner and Abigail, m. (1) Huldah Wright, (2) Susannah Butts, 

Oct. 11, 1800. Huldah, d. June 11, 1800; Susannah, d. Nov. 4, 1859, aged 78. Children 

by 1st wife : — 
Mahala, b. Nov. 20, 1793, m. Amisa Switzer, d. May 22, 1851 ; Maria, b. Nov. 5, 1795, m. 

Harvey B. Pease; Ralph, b. March 27, 1798, d. March 12, 1801 ; Samuel, b. June 25, 

1800, m. Sally Butts. 
Children by 2d wile : — 
Ralph Sumner, b. Oct. 13, 1807; Warner Butts, b. Nov. 7, 1810, d. Oct., 1836; Susan, b. 

Nov. 1.3, 1811, d. Sept. 12, 1828; Nathaniel M., b. Feb. 26, 1814; Silas Whitman, b. 

July 11, 181S; Huldah Wright, b. Oct. 3, 1820, d. . 

Abner Chapin, son of Abner and Rlioda, m. May 30, 1795. Polly Adams. She died Jan. 

10, 1841. Their children were : — 
Polly, d. March 15, 1823 ; Lucy Edsou, b. March 29, 1798; Minerva; Caroline; Austin; 

Oliver; Lavinia; Leander Z. and Lucinda, twins, b. Aug. 25, 1809; David and Vashui, 

twins, b. April 17, 1812; Munro, b. March 11, 1815; Charlotte, b. Sept. 9, 1821. 
Samuel Chapin, son of Samuel and Huldah, m. Sally Butts, of Canterbury, Ct. He d. 

Aug., 1836. Their children were : — 
Abigail Dyer, b. Oct. 10, 1827, m. Henry B. Sawyer; David Butts, b. Oct. 10, 1827, m. 

Jane C. Couse; one child, Mary Emily, b. Sept. 22, 1857; Carlos, b. Deo. 14, 1832. 
Ralph Sumner Chapin, son of Samuel and (2) Susannah, m., Jan. 31, 1840,(1) Harriet Newell 

Cady, b. July 6, 1814; m. Jan. 30, 1855, (2) Sophia Louisa Storrs. Harriet, d. Nov. 

28, 1850. Their children were : — 
Samuel, b. Jan. 31, 1841; Ellen Augusta, b. April 4, 1844;' Henry W., b. Oct. 28, 1840, d. 

Oct. 28, 1851; Willis, b. April 12, 1848, d. Sept. 16, 1851; Arthur, b. April 15, 1S5(', d. 

Sept. 18, 1850. 
Nathaniel Mason Chapin, son of Samuel and Susannah, m. Nov. 7, 1837, Maria Shephcy-d. 

Their children were : — 
Susan M., b. Feb. 19, 1838, m. Emery Stanton; Warner, b. Dec. 1, 1840; Sidney P., b. 

March 20, 1844; Charles D., b. March 13, 1846; Francis M., b. May 4, 1848, d. April 

30, 1859; Mary, b. Jan. 24, 1851; George IL, b. Jan. 22, 1863, d. May 21, 1858; Willis 

K., b. Feb. 14, 1855, d. Sept. 26, 1855; Julia C, b. Aug. 7, 1856; Nellie, b. Dec. 8, 1859. 



HENDRWK FAMILY. 
Jabez Hendrick was son of Israel Hendrick, of Unjon, Conn., and settled in Wilbraham 
in or about the year 1749, on the farm now owned by Hiram Hendrick. His family con- 
sisted of nine children, four sons and live daugliters. Their names were Abijah, Daniel, 
Reuben, Pliny, Anna, Lucy, Lydia, Dolly, Lois. None of them arfe now living, and but 
two of his grandchildren are now living in town. Hiram Hendrick and Edmund T. 
Hendrick, sons of Reuben Hendrick, and one great-grandchild, Horton H. Hendrick, 
son of Hiram Hendrick, and one child of the fourth generation, Adeline Louisa, 
daughter of Horton H. Hendrick, are all the descendants now living in town. 



HITCHCOCK FAMILY. 
Nathaniel Hitchcock, the first settler, married, March 28, 17-30, Hannah Taylor, of 
Hadley. Their children were : — 



299 



Nathaniel, b. ; Mercy, b. June 30, 1735, d. Nov. 13, 1755; Gideon, b. Nov. 25, 1736; 

Silas, b. Oct. G, 1739. /, ^-'.-^y.^ 

Xathaniel Hitchcock, Jr., son of Natlianiel Hitchcock, married Sarah — , and removed 

to Springfield before 1707. Their children were : — 
Nathaniel, b. June 15, 1756; Mary, b. Oct. 24, 1757; Sarah, b. Feb. 5, 1750; Daniel S., b. 
Jan. 29, 1761; Lucy, b. May 27, 17f)i. 

Silan Hitchcocl-, son of Nathaniel Hitchcock, married (1) Martlia , (2) Mary Taylor, 

1707. Their children were : — 
Martha, b. May 28, 1701; Chloe, b. Nov. 9, 176!; (2 wife), Philena, b. Sept. 23, 170S, d. 

Dec. 18, ; Justin, b. Oct. 23, 1769; Pliilena, b. Aug. 27, 1771; Roxa, b. Oct. 20, 

1773; Zera, b. May 25, 1776. Left town at this time, I suppose. 

John Hitchcock, .3d, b. April 21, 1722, married Thankful Burt May, 1743; both admitted 

to the church, by letter from Springfield, Nov. IS, 1744. 
Lieut. Hitchcock was an athlete as well as a deacon and lieutenant. Had he lived in 
Greece, he w'ould have taken the highest prizes at the Olympic and Isthmian games. He 
was a man of prodigious muscular strength, agility, and endurance. A man stopped by 
the field where he was at work, and boasted of the speed of the horse he was riding. 
The deacon told him tliat ho could go to Springfield quicker than the horse. I'he man reso- 
lutely denied it. The deacon gave a challenge. It was accepted, and the deacon won, — 
ran ten miles, beating the horse. He would lift a load of hay, — such loads as were drawn 
then, — by getting under the axle-tree of the cart, and taking it on his shoulders in a stoop- 
ing posture. He would turn a cart over by taking one end of the axle-tree with one hand. 
When he was seventy years old, he came in to dinner, and, as usual, hung his hat on its 
nail on the summer. He said to his wife, " I am seventy years old to-day; you remember 
that when we were first married I used to amuse you by taking my hat down with my toes. 
I wonder if I could do it now .' " He sprang from the floor, caught the liat off with his 
toes, struck on his feet like a cat, hung up his hat again, turned to the table, asked a bless- 
ing, and feasted. He had douhle teeth in front. When he loaded grain in a cart, he would 
seize a bag with his teeth, and, giveing it a swing, throw it into the cart with the aid of a 
push with his knee. He would hold a tenpenny nail in his teeth and break it off witli his 
fingers. When he died all his teeth were sound. He said jocosely that he did not know a 
man he could not whip or run away from ! He was the first deacon of the South Parish 
Church. His children were : — 

Othniel, b. Aug. 10, 1744; John, Jan. 4, 1740; Azuba, Aug. 0, 1748; Reuben, May 1, 

1751; Moses, March 19, 1753; Aaron, Sept. 1, 1750; Phebe, March 10, 1760; Simeon, 

Sept. 23, 1701 ; Thankful, Oct. 13, 1705. 
Othyiiel Hitchcock, sou of John Hitchcock, 3d, married Martha Kellog, 1760; she died 

Oct. 9, 17(i8, and he married for his second wife Sybel Brooks, 1772 Their cliild was : — 
David, b. Nov. 6, 1768. 
John Hitchcock, Jr., son of John Hitchcock, 3d, married Martha . Tlieir child was : - 

John, b. Oct. 29, 1769. 
Heuhen Hitchcock, son of John Hitchcock, 3d, married Hannah Tlieir cluldrcn 

A child, b. Feb. 8, 1774; Martin, b. Nov. 26, 1774; John, b. March 17, 1779; Polly, b. 

; Eleazer, b. Feb. .3, 1782. . 

Aaron Hitchcock, son of John Hitchcock, .3d, married March, 17S0, Desire Maxwell. Ihe.r 
children were : — 
Ithamar, b. May 10, 1781 ; Phebe, b. Aug. 31, 1783 ; Aaron ; Sally. 

Jthamer Hitchcock, son of Aaron and Desire, married . Their children were : - 

Sophia, m. Noah G. Stebbins ; George; Sophronia; Walter; Levi; Mary. 



LANGDON FAMILY. 
Lteut P .UL L.^NGl.oN, the head of the Wilbraham Langdons, was the seventh child, and 
fifth son of Philip Langdon, of Boston, a mariner. There is now in the possession of 
John Wilson Langdon, his greal-great-grandson, an oak chest, which has every ap- 



500 



pearance of having been Philip's sea-cliest. Lieut. Langrton was a man of groat energy 
of ciiaracter, a carpenter, a niillwriglit, and a farmer. I liave before me an account- 
book of his, whicli is also a journal. One entry is as follows : " 1745. What wheat has 
been thrached and yoused and sold this being a memorandum of Wheat Keased in ye 
year 1745 of my nue field [in Wilbraham] 102 1-2 bushels." 
Lieut. Paul Langdon, b. Sept. 12, 1093, m. Mary Stacy Aug. IS, 1718. He d. Dec. .3, 17C1. 
Their children were : — 
Mary, b. Aug. 20, 1719, m. Henry Badger ; Lewis, b. May 10, 1721 ; Hannah, b. Feb. 22, 

1T23, m. Meacham; Paul, b. Dec. 10, 1725; John, b. June 1, 172S; Elizabeth, b. 

July 1, 1730, d. Sept. 23, 1740; Anna, b. Sept. 21, 17.32, d. Sept. 12, 1740. 
Lewis Langdon, son of Paul and Mary Langdon, m. Cooley, of Monson. Their chil- 
dren were : — 
Lewis; John; Philip; Christopher, b. March 3, 1750; Kachael ; Sarah. 
Christopher Langdon, son of Lewis Langdon, m. Polly Walker. Their children were : — 
Lathrop ; Polly; Sylvanus; Caroline; Francis. 
This family removed to Ohio in 1814. 
Capt. Paul Langdon, son of Lieut. Paul and Mary Langdon, m. Thankful Stebbins May 
6, 1757. He d. June 23, 1804.' Their children were : — 

Samuel, b. May 10, 1758, d. Feb. 20, 1822 ; Thankful, b. July 4, 1760, m. Burt ; Paul, 

b. Aug. 18, 1704; Lovice, b, Nov. 13, 1708, m. (1) — Loomis, (2) Joseph Wood, Mon- 
son ; Mary, b. Oct. 12, 1770, m. Jacob Wood; Walter, b. June 22, 1779. 
Paul Langdon, son of Paul and Thankful Langdon, m. Azubah King, Ellington, Conn. He 
d. July 0, 18.30; she d. — '■ — . Their children were: — 
Calvin, b. Sept. 5, 17S8, m. Sybil Kibbe, Somers, Conn.; Noah, b. June, 1790; Paul Ly- 
man; Harlow ; Betsey, b. July 9, 1801, m. Erastus H. Stebbins June 12, 1828 ; she d. 
1803. 
Noah Langdon, son of Paul and Azubah Langdon, married Eunice Torrey, Monson, Dec. 
20, 1821. He d. Dec. 27, 1849. Their children were : — 
Noah Franklin, b. Dec. 0, 1822, d. Aug. 4, 1823; Horatio Franklin, b. June 13, 1824, m. 
Sarah A. Moody, Monson ; Jonathan Torrey, b. May 20, 1829, m. Helen Bickford, 
W. Springfield ; Mary Emily, b. Nov. 7, 1831, m. Nathaniel A. Patten, Somers, Conn., 
May 14, 1853 ; Martha Azubah, b. May 21, 1834 ; Wm. Patten, b. Dec. 8, 1837, d. Oct. 
6, 1838. 
Paul L. Langdon, son of I'aul and Azubah Langdon, m. Jael Hathaway. Their children 
were : — 
Celia ; Paul Lyman ; David King. This family left town previous to 1830. 
Harlow Langdon, son of Paul and Azubah Langdon, m. Laura Merrick, Monson. Their 
children were : — 
Harlow Merrick, b. April 6, 1833; Laura Caroline, bi Sept., 18.35, m. Constant M. Steb- 
bins, Longmeadow; Elizabeth Victoria, b. Jan. 31, 1838; Royal Clinton, b. Feb., 
1843, d. May 1, 1844. 
Harlow Langdon m. his 2d wife, Caroline Russell, April, 1840. Tlioir child was : — 
Royal Clinton, b. March 1847, d. March l(i, 1848. 
Harlow M. Langdon, son of Harlow and Laura Langdon,, m. Lorett M. Cooley, Somers, 
Conn., Nov. 25, 1857. Their child was : — 
Grosvenor Merrick, b. Oct. 12, 1801. 
Walter Langdon, son of Capt. Paul and Thankful Langdon, m. Sophia Badger, N.Y., March, 
1803. Their children were : — 
Walter Morgan, b. Sept. 15, 1804; Aibertus Badger, b. April 1, 1806; William Harwood, 
b. Jan. 23, 1808; JMinorva Loomis, b. Sept. 8, 1820, m. James P. Streeter, Vernon, 
Vt., Nov. 20, 1840; Oliver Hanson, b. March 14, 1824. 
Walter M. Langdon, son of Walter and Sophia Langdon, m. Sally Frost, Springfield. 
Their children were : — 
Morgan Emory, b. Oct. 2, 1827 ; Sarah Arletia, b. Dec. 8, 1829, m. Elbridge G. Smith, W. 
Springfield, May, 1857; Anniejean, b. April 23, 1831, m. Cheney Bemis, Spencer, Jan. 
6, 1853; Rosella, b. Sept. 10, 1833, m. Robert Lathrop, N. Y. City, Jan. 0, 1853 ; Paul, 
b. March 14, 1835,. d. Nov., 1857; Walter Perkins,, b. Nov. 14, 1836, m. Lucy Cook, 
Springfield ; Emeline Elizabeth,. b. May 19,. 1845. 



301 



Morgan E. Langdon, sou of Walter M. and Sally Laugtlon, m. Jlary C. Kangcr, ISrookficlfl, 
August, 1848. Their children were : — 

Jaraes Emory, b. May 5, 1849 ; Alice Minerva, b. Sept. 0, 1851. 
Albertus B Langdon, son of Walter and Sophia Langdon, m. Nancy Batcliildcr, Jcnksville. 
Their children were : — 

Albertus, b. March 4, 1S3G ; Esther Davison, b. July 20, 18:», m. Henry Adams, Adams, 
Jan. 19, 18G0. 
WUliam H. Langdon, son of Walter and Sophia Langdon, m. Harriet N. Carley, Hatfield, 
Sept. 20, 1831. Their children were : — 

Charles Henry, b. March 20, 1833 ; Walter Carley, b. Sept. 20, 1834, m. Helen Ferry, 
Chicopee, 1S55 ; Mary Eliza, b. Oct. 22, ]83(), d. May 29, 1838; William Thompson, b. 
June 27, 1838; James Chapman, b. July 16, 1840, m. Ellen Chesebro, Springfield, 
Nov. 25, 1862 ; Mary Eliza, b. Nov. 13, 1842 ; Harriet Rosnbelle, b. Oct. 28, 1844 ; Jessie 
Wilson Rice, b. June 22, 1847 ; Emma Rosella, b. Sept. 10, 1849 ; Flora Franeelia, b. 
June 5, 1852; Carrie Isabella, b. May 29, 1858. 
William T. Langdon, son of Win. H. and Harriet N. Langdon, m. Kate B. Jenks, Ludlow, 
Nov., 1869. Their child was : — 

Anna Sophia, b. June, 1860. 
Oliver H. langdon, son of Walter and Sophia Langdon, m. Eliza Hubbard, Indian Orchard, 
Dec. 20, 1850. Their children were : — 

Annette Arletia, b. Oct. 19, 1851 ; Calvin Hanson, b. Oct. 18, 1853. 

He married his 2d wife, Mary R. Billings, Longmeadow, Oct. 15, 1858. Their childi-en 
were : — 

Mary Agnes, b. March 11, 1860; Joseph Oliver, b. April 11, 1862. 
John Langdon, son of Lieut. Paul and Mary Langdon, m. Sarah Stebbins Feb.. 1755. Their 
child was : — 

Sarah, b. July 12, 1755, m. Ebenezer Crocker, Kinderhook, N. Y. 

He m., 2d, Eunice Torrey, Mansfield, Conn., Dec. 29, 1757. He d. Oct 10, 1822. He 
was a man of great energy. Their children were : — 

John Wilson, b. March 11, 1759, m. Ashley, Springfield ; Arteraas, b. May 25, 

1709, d. Oct. 2, 1760 ; Jaraes, b. March 27, 1762, m. Esther Stebbins ; Josiah, b. Jan. 12, 
1765 ; Joanna, b. June 21, 1707, m. Preserved Leonard,. W. Springfield ; Oliver, b. Oct. 
9, 1709; Eunice, b. Mar. 7, 1772, m. AsaMerritt, Blandford; Solomon, b. July 19, 1777. 

Of these five brothers, three were Methodist preachers, John W., Oliver, and Solo- 
mon ; and one was an " exhorter," James. The descendants of these four brothers 
reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, and vicinity. One of the daughters, Joanna, also re- 
moved to Ohio. 
Josiah Langdon,* sou of John and Eunice Langdon, m. Sally HaM, Middletown, Conn., 
Feb. 10, 1801. He d. Feb. 5, 1855. Their children were : — 

Josiah Hooker, b. Feb. 18, 1802, d. March 29, 1846; Seth Hall, b. April 8, 1804, d. Oct. 27, 
1822; Sarah Eliza, b. July 22, 1806, m. Calvin Stebbins Jan. 16, 1833; Jo-hn Wilson, b. 
June 14, 1808; Mary Ann, b. Aug. 17, 1813, m. J. Wesley Bliss. 
John W. Langdon, son of Josiah and Sally Langdon, m. Mrs. Lydia L. McCray, Ellington, 
Conn., Nov. 18, 1840. Their child was : — 

John Morris, b. Aug. 13, 1843, d. Aug. 1, 1844. 

He m., 2d, Emily A. Stebbins, April 24, 1845. Their children were : — 

Louisa Wilson, b. May 23, 1848; Wilson Stebbins, b. Nov. 8, 1858. 



MERltICK FAMILY. 

Thomas Merrick was born in Wales, and came to this country about the year 1630, and 
settled in Roxbury. He removed to Springfield about the year 1635-36. He married 
Sarah Stebbins, of Springfield, 16.39. Tliey had five sons, four of whom, John, Thomas, 
Tilly, and James, married and had lamilies. 

Capt. John m. Mary Day, of Springfield, 1687. They had seven sons and six daughters. 

.Josiah Langdon was a man of literary taaU-, ai,d wrote cousiclernble poetry in I,is day. Hi. "Song of 
the Hoe " is the best known . 



302 



T/wmasm. H.annah Dumbleton, Dec, 1600. They had four sons aucl three daughters. 
Tilly m. .Sarah Cooley, Sept., 1004. They had one son and four daughters. 
James m. Sarah Hitchcock, July, 1095. They had four sons and three daughters. 

Thomas, son of Capt. John and Mary Merrick, married Eunice Stebbins, March, 1733, and 

settled in Wilbraham. Their children were : — 
Eunice, b. Dec, 1733, d. July, 1734. Eunice, the mother, d. July, 17.34, and Thomas, the 

father, m., for his 2d wife, Mary Warner, May, 1738. Their children were : — 
Timothy, b. May, 17.39, d. by the bite of a rattlesnake, Aug. 7, 1701; Eunice, b. Jlay, 

1742, m. Dea. Gideon Burt, Jan., 1771 ; Lucy, b. Nov., 1746, d. October, 1752; Mary, b. 

Sept., 1751, m. Lieut. Jonathan Merrick, 1774. 
Dea. David Merrick, son of Thomas and Hannah Merrick, m. Mary Colton, Jan., 1735, and 

settled in Wilbraham. Their children were : — 
Mary, b. October, 1735, m. Reuben Chapin, Jan., 1701 ; David, b. May, 1739, d. in foieign 

lands; Thomas, b. May, 1741, d. February, 1742; Louis, b. October, 1743, m. Samuel 

Day, 1700; Jonathan, b. March, 1747, d. March, 1S12. 
Lieut. Jonathan Merrich, son of Dea. David and JIary Merrick, m. Mary Merrick, January, 

1774. Tlieir children were : — 
Mary, b. April, 1775, m. Dr. Joel Lyman, of Ludlow; David, b. ^March, 1770, d. August, 

1783; John, b. Feb., 1781; Thomas, b. May, 1784; Laura, b. March, 1780, d. Aug., 1780; 

Laura, b. January, 1780, m. Dr. Luther Brewer. 
Jonathan, the father, d. March, 1SI2; Jlary, the mother, d. Dec. 10, 1831. 
John, son of Jonathan and Mary Merrick, m. Harriet Brewer, December, 1804. Their chil- 
dren were : — 
John Marshall, b. December, 1806, d. December, 1806; Harriet Cornelia, b. March 21, 

1808, d. Jan. 13, 1828; John Marshall, b. May 9, 1810; Susan Mary Ann, b. August, 

1812, d. August, 1810. 
John, the father, died August, 1816; Harriet, the mother, m. John Bliss, April, 1818. 
Thomas Merrick, son of Lieut. Jonathan and Mar)' Jlerrick, m. Anna Brewer, January, 

1806. Their children were : — 
Thomas Edwin, b. July, 1808 ; William Winslow, b. July, 1810; Daniel Delos, b. Nov., 

1814. 
Thomas, the father, died Feb., 1818; Anna, the mother died at Clinton, La. 

John M. Merrick, son of John and Harriet Merrick, m. Mary J. Thompson of New Haven, 
Conn., March, 18.32. Their children were : — 

William Marshall, b. March 24, 1833 ; an infant son, b. December, 1830, d. December, 
1836; Harriet Cornelia, b. September 15, 1843, m Rev. AVm. I. Warren, Ap. 14, 1801. 
Hon. Thomas E. Merrick, son of Thomas and Anna Merrick, m. Caroline Thomas, of Clin- 
ton, Louisiana, and settled in New Orleans. 
Wm. W. Merrick, son of Thomas and Anna Merrick, m. Eugene Hancock. Their children 
were : — 
Sarah Ann, b. Jan. 13, 1843, d. JLiy 16, 1844; Delos D., b. February 17, 1843. 
Dr. Daniel D. Merrick, son of Thomas and Anna Merrick, m. Isabella Smith, of Clinton, 
La., and settled in that place, and practised medicine there until his death. 

Wm. M. Merrick, son of John M. and Mary J. Merrick, m. Sarah M. Ketteks, Nov. 17, 1858. 
Their children were : — 
Evelyn, b. Nov. 19, 1859; Gertrude, b. Feb. 4, 1802; a son, b. Nov. 15, 1863. 

Rev. Noah Merrick, son of Lieut. James and Sarah jNIerrick, m. Abigail Brainard, October, 

1744. Their children were : — 
Noah, b. Nov., 1745, drowned at Cambridge, June, 1702; Sarah, b. June, 1747, m. Col. 

Abel King, 1772; Chilea Brainard, b. Jlay, 1740; Samuel Fisk, b. September, 1751; 

Lydia, b. July, 1753, m. Rev. Aaron Church; I'liny, b. September, 1755, d. March, 

1814 ; Lucy, b. September, 1757, d. September, 1757. 
Rev. Noah Merrick, the father, d. Dec, 1776; Abigail, the mother, d. Sept., 1807. 
Dea. Chileab B. Merrick, son of Rev. Noah and Abigail Jlerrick, m. Lucina Smith, Dec, 

1773. Their children were : — 
Lucy, b. April, 1774, m. Wm. Perkins ; Lydia, b. Jan., 1776, m. George Forward ; Noah, 



303 

b. June, irsi ; Pliuy, b. Jim., ir.sC; Lucina Ahiiini, b. June, 1701 : Chileab I'.rai.iard 

b. 1793. 
Chileab, the father, d. Jlay 1, 1833; Luclna, the mother, d. Nov. 17, 1828. 
Dr. Samuel F. Merrick, son of Rev. Xoah and Abigail Merriclv, m. .Sarah Jlul^ins, July, 

1780. Their children were : — 
Sarah, b. July, 1781, d. July 21, 1820; Abigail, b. February, 1783, drowned April 20, 1709, 

in Nine-mile Pond, with five others; Mary Mukins, b. March, 1785, m. S. Moseley; 

Thomas F. and Lydia Fisk (twins), b. December, 1704 ; Lucy, b. January, 1707. 
Samuel F., the father, d. Sept. 2, 1835. 
Pliny Merriclc, son of Rev. Noah Merrick and AbigaU his wife, m. December, 1789, Ruth 

Cutler, daughter of Maj. Gen. John Cutler of Brookfield. Their cliildren were : — 
Mira,b.at Brookfield Oct. 14, 1790; Francis F.,b. June 29, 1792, d. July 28, 1803; I'liny, 

b. Aug. 2, 1794; Nancy Cutler, b. Dec. 11, 1707, d. April 1, 1843; John, b. April 6, ISOO, 

d. September 6, 1804; Thornton A., b. Dec. IG, 1803, d. September 12, 1855; John Cut- 
ler, b. Dee. 7, 1809, d. May 15, 1857. 
Mira m., Nov. 2, 1817, Samuel Allen, of Worcester, who died February, 1803. Nancy 

Cutler m., 1829, Henry W. Miller, of Worcester. 

Koah Merrick, son of Dea. Chileab B. and Luclna Merrick, m. Statira Hayes, of Hartford, 
Conn., January, 1805. . Their children were : — 
Abigail, b. December, 1805, m. Paoli Lathrop; Roderick Smith, b. January, 1808; Rod- 
erick, b. January, 1810; Fanny, b. September, 1812, m. Ephraim Perkins; George 
Hayes, b. July, 1821, d. January 9, 1841; Hellen, b. February, 1824; Edward Dwight, 
b. August, 1827, d. June 7, 1830. 
Noah, the father, d. Nov. 10, 1850; Statira, the mother, d. November 19, 1840. 
Pliny Merrick, son of Dea. Chileab B. and Lucina Merrick, m. Florilla Moody, Jan., 1817. 
Their child was ■ — 
Frances Cutler, b. July 5, 1818, d. May 19, 1843. 
The mother d. March 28, 1819. The father m. Dorcas Newell, May, 1820 ; their children 

were : — 
Florilla, b, March 5, 1821, d. July 15, 1823 ; Dorcas Newell, b. Jan. 7, 1822, d. December 
22, 1849; Pliny Kirkland, b. Jan. 10, 1824, d. in California, Dec. 8, 1849; Daniel Brain- 
ard, b. June 21, 1831 ; Florilla, b. Nov. 1, 1835. 
Samuel Fisk Merrick, son of Samuel F. and Sarah Jlerrick, m. Mary Starkweather, Septem- 
ber, 1812. Their children were : — 
Samuel Fisk, b. April 8, 1814, d. April 13, 1814; Martha, b. June, 1815, m. Mr. Gale; 
Abby Maria, b. June, 1817, m. Mr. Clark; Samuel Fisk, b. Sept. 27, 1819; Sarali Mu- 
kins, b. Nov., 1821, m. Mr. Mears; James, b. Dec, 1823; Roxanna S., b. March, 1820, 
m. 3Ir. Goodale; Charles S., b. November, 1828, d. December, 1844; Mary Jane, b. 
Aug. 4, 1831, m. J. R. Baker, d. December, 1859. 
Samuel F., the father, d. April 13, 1855; Sarah, the mother, d. Jan. 24, 1803. 
Hon. George Merrick, son of Samuel F. and Sarah Merrick, married and settled in Glas- 

tenbury, Conn. 
Roderick S. Merrick, son of Noah and Statira Merrick, m. Emily Bliss, November, 18.^3. 
Their children were : — 
Sophronia Warriner, b. February, 18.35, m. C. R. Starkweather; Abigail, b. May, 1838, 
m. William Seamans; Edward, b. May, 1842; Frederick, b. Nov., 1843; Emily b. Aug., 
1851, d. March, 1853. 
Roderick, the father, d. March 30, 1853. 
Frederick Merrick, son of Noah and Statira 3Ierrick, m. S. Fidelia Griswold, and settled 

in Delaware, Ohio. 
Daniel r>. Merrick, son of I'liny and Dorcas Merrick, m. Anna L. Day, April 14, 1854. Their 
child was : — 
Dora, b. April 23, 1859. 
Samuel F. Merrick, son of Samuel F. and Mary Merrick, m. Amanda Weston. I heir child 
was : — 
Amanda Weston, b. October, 1853. 



304 



James Merriclt, son of Samuel F. and Mary Merrick, m. Eunice J. Libbey. Tlieir children 
were : — 
James Stewart, b. January, 1854; Fanny Jlerriam, b. September, 1.357. 



MORRIS FAMILY. 

Isaac Morkis married Sarah ChaiToe. He came from Woodstock, Conn., about the year 
1760 or 01, and settled on Springfield Mountains. They had children, who bore the fol- 
lowing names : Hannah, Darius, Isaac, Joseph, Edward, Elizabeth, who died in child- 
hood; Sarah, Eunice, Chester, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, and Ephraim. 

Hannah Morris married John Davis. 

Darius married Elizabeth Fisher, and had two children, whose names were Sylvester and 
Asenath. His second wife was Kebecca Cliandler; tlieir children's names were, Eliza- 
beth, Josepli, Kebecca, Fanny, Sylenda, Hannah, and Sarah. 

Joseph married Lydia Russell. The names of their children v»'«re, Louisa, Delia, Abigail, 
Darius, Sylenda, Robert, Sylvester,, and Joseph. 

Isaac Morris married Irene Johnson. The names of their ehildren were, Mary, Sarah, Eu- 
nice, Isaac, Irene^ and Roxanna. 

Joseph died at Lake George, "in the service of his country," aged 21 years. 

Edward Morris served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married Lucy Bliss. 
Their children were as follows : Oliver Bliss, Edward, Isaac, John Bliss, Lucy, Abby, 
Thirza, Richard Darius^ and Edward Alonzo. 

Oliver B. Morris married Caroline Bliss. 

Edward Morris married Sally Flynt. They had one child, Edward F, She died, and he 
married Mercy Flynt. The names of their children were, Sarali F., Cliarles, George F., 
Maria M., Henry, and Jonathan F. 

Sarah F. married Daniel D. Cliaffl'e, and had two daugliters, Catharine N. and Lucy M. • 

John B. Morris married Lucia Granger. The names of their children are, Caroline, Fran- 
cis G., William P., and Elizabeth L. 

Lucy Morris married Dr. Daniel Ufford. Their children's names .are Dixon D., Lucien, 
Lucy M., Mary G., Thirza M., and Edward W. 

Ahby Morris married Ralph R. Rollo. 

Richard D. Morris married Sybil Bonticou. 

Sarah Morris married Stephen Pease. 

Eunice Morris mariied Joshua Clark. 

Chester Morris married Betsey Wales. 

Ebeneser Morris married Kinda May. 

Elizabeth Morris married David Hume. 

Ejihraim Morris married I'amella Converse. 



BLISS (JOUX) FAMILY. 

John Bliss* married Abiel Cotton. They came from Longmoadow. He served as soldier 
in the French War, and as Lieutenant Colonel in the Revolutionary War. The names 
of the children were, Oliver ; Lydia, wlio died In January, 1755, and who was the first 
laid in the burying-ground in the Soutli Parish; Lydia; Abiel, and Lucy. 

Lydia married Rev. Moses Warren. The names of their children were, Moses, Lydia, 
John Bliss, and Aaron. Lydia Warren married Rev. Levi Smith. John B. Warren 
married Caroline Atwood. Aaron Warren married Betsey Stacy; the names of their 
children are, Lydia B., Moses H., and John B. 

Abiel Bliss married Josiah Cooley. 

Lucy Bliss married Edward Morris. (See Morris Family). 

• John Bliss was a man ofgreat influence, and of high native talent He was born 1727; was a self-taught 
man, an ardent Whig in the Revolution, a member of the Provincial Congress, a representative in the Legisla- 
ture for eight years, a senator, a judge of the Court of Common Fleas, a colonel of militia ; almost always, for 
many years, moderator of town-meetings : and he held numerous other offices of trust and responsibility. He 
was a public man. He died in 1809. — ■/. G. Holland. 



305 



n us SELL FAMILY. 
EzEKiEi. Russell was b. in Reading, Mass., in 1721, and d. in Wilbraham, Jan, :i, IS02. 
Tabatiia Flynt, his wife, was b. also in Reading, Mass., and d. in Wilbraham Jan. 4, 
1808. After their marriage in Reading, they removed to Ashford, Ct., in what year it 
is not known. Tliey removed from Ashford to Wilbraham in 1709. Their children 
were as follows : — 

Ezekiel, b. 1753, d. 1795; Tabatha, b. 1755, d. 1778, aged 23 years; Robert, b. June 2, 
1757, d. Deo. 9, 18.36 ; Benjamin, b. 17(i2, d. in the army, 1778, aged IG years; Asa, b. 
1765, time of death unknown. Of these children, 
Esekielm. for his first wife, Susan Hills, by whom he had no children. For his second 
wife he m. Hannah Jleacham, of Somers, Ct., by whom he bad the following chil- 
dren : — 
Benjamin Hills, b. June 23, 1780, d. Oct. 2, 1848; Ezekiel, d. in infancy; Submit, d. in 
infancy; Submit, d. in infancy; Joseph, b. 1788, d. 1850; Susan, b. 1790, d. 1823. 
Tabatha m. Nathan Stedman. Their children were : — 

Nathan^ Beulah^ Sophia; Erastus ; Abigail; Achsia. 
Robert Russell m. Lydia Beebe. Their children were : — 

Hepsibah, b. Sept. 3, 1783; Lydia, b. July 9, 1785; Robert, an infant, d. Jan. 2, 1788; 
Robert, b. Aug., 1890, d. Feb. 10, 1825. He was a graduate of Williams College, 
studied law, and died at Hebron, Ct. 
Asa Russell m. Thankful Foot; had a number of children, who, with their parents lived 

and died in Western New York. 
Benjamin Hills Russell m. Lydia Tilden, who was b. in Stoughtou, Mass., June 28, 1780, 
and d. June 15, 1847. Their children were : — 
Ezekiel; Mary Withington ; Lydia; Cortez Flynt; Adeline; Lucy; Horace Meach am. 
Ezeldel Russell, and the father of the Hendricks, owned a tract of land extending from the 
road tliat crosses the mountain, by Samuel Beebe's, to the North Parish, eastward to the 
Monson line, which, after the purcliase, tliey divided between them. The Russell portion 
remained in the hands of the family for about one hundred and thirty years. 

Ezekiel Russell had a brother in Reading, who was never man led, whose name was 
Benjamin. He had a negro slave, whom he manuinitted, and to whom he gave all hi.s 
property at his deatlu 



STEBBINS FAMILY. 

The Stebbinses, not only of this town, but of the whole eoantry, are descendants of 
Rowland Stebbing (as the name was first spelled in this country, and as it is now 
universally spelled in England), who came to this country in 1634. He was born in 15'.M, 
near Cambridge in England, and was a friend of Wm. Pynchon. In the family name, 
Stebbing, the termination ing is supposed to be of Saxon origin, and means, field, 
so that the name is descriptive, as all family names at first were, meaning stub fi^Ul. 
Hence, in the early mention of the name, 1235 and 1-324, a prefix rfe is used, John de Steb- 
bing, Nicholas de Stybbynge. The eai-liest mention of the name yet discovered is in the 
chancery books of the county of Essex, 1201, where, in the hundi-ed of Hincford, there i.s 
a town or parish of Stebbing. 

The armorial bearings of Stebbing (London and Wisset-, Co. Suffolk). Quarterly, or and 
gu.; on a bend Sa. five bezants. — Crest, a lion's head erased ar. 

Rowland, aged 40, brouglit with him from England his wife, Sarah, aged 43; Thomas, 
aged 14; Sarah, .iged 11; John, aged 8; Elizabeth, aged fl. He stopped a short time in 
Roxbury, where Sarah, his wife, died Oct. 4, 1649, tlien came to Springfield, to his friend 
Pynchon. The father and his son John soon removed to Northampton, where Kowhmd 
died, Dec. 14, 1071, aged 77. His gr.ave was opened by Daniel Stebbins, M. D., 1850, aft«T 
the remains had been buried 179 years, and a marble slab, with suitable inscription, was Ki 
be placed at the head of the grave. A granite cenotaph had been erected to his memory 
in Dr. Stebbins's family square, as early as 1840, when his descendants had despaired o( 
identifying his grave. All the "up river" Stebbinses are descendants of ^oAh, of North- 

39 



306 



ampton; the " down river" Stebbinses, of Thomas, of Springfield. Tlie Wilbraham Steb- 

binses came from Longmeadow. 

Rowland Stebbins (l), b. 159i; Sarah, his wife, b. 1591. Their cliikh-en were: — 
Thomas (2),b. 1620; Sarah (2), b. 1()23; John (2), b. 1620; Elizabeth (2), b. 1028. 

Thomas Stebhins (2), eldest son of Rowland, m. Nov. 1645, Hannah, dr. of Dea. Samuel 
Wright. He died Sept. 25, 1083, aged 03. She died Oct. 10, 1000, and he m. for his 
2d wife, Abigail, widow of Henjamin Munn. Their children were : — 
Samuel (3), b. Sept. 19, 1010; Thomas (3), b, July 31, IMS ; Joseph (3), b. Blay 18, 1050, 

d. ; Joseph (3), b. Oct. 2-1, 1052; Sarah (3), Aug. 6, 1054; Edward, b. April, 14, 

1650; Benjamin, b. April 11, 1058 ; Hannah, b. Oct. 1, 1000. 

Samuel Stebbins (3), the eldest son of Thomas (2), m. Joanna Lamb, July 22, 1679. Their 
children were : — 
Thomas (4), b. Dec, 20, 1081; Samuel (4), b. May 13, 108.1, and others. 

Samuel Stebbins (4), m. Hannah, dr. of Luke Hitchcock, Jan. 30, ir07. He d. June 17, 

1707, aged 84. Their children were : — 

Samuel (5), b. June 19, 170S; Jonathan (5), b. Oct. 24, 1709; Stephen (5), b. Oct. 10, 

1711; Hannah, b. June 10, 1713, m. Moses Parsons; Aaron (5), b. Feb. 20, 1715; 

Joanna, b. Nov. 1, 1710, m. James Firman, July 31, 1740; Moses (5), b. Dec. 4, 1718; 

Luke (5), b. Jan. 28, 1722 ; Sarah (5),b. Nov. 8, 1725, d. ; Nehemiah (5), b. April 

14, 1727, m.fo Elizabeth Morgan, Oct. 3, 1753; Thankful (5), b. March 4, 1730, d. . 

Samuel Stebbins (5), m. Mary Knowlton, March 22, 17.34; moved from Longmeadow to 
Wilbraham, 17.35. She died Aug. 22, 1750. Their children were: — 
Mary (0),b. Aug. 23, 17.35, d. — ^r— ; Thankful (0), b. Feb. 14, 17-37, m. Paul Langdon, 

May 5, 1757; Seth (6), b. Jan. 8, 1739, d. ; Noah (6), b. Oct, 13, 1741; Mary (0), 

b. March 25, 1744, m. Enos, son of Jonathan Stebbins, April 21, 1703; Mercy (0), b. 
Feb. 12, 1747; Samuel (0), b. Sept. 8, 1751; Seth (0), b. July 17, 175.3, d. . 

Stephen Stebbins (5), son of Samuel (4), m. Oct. 9, 17-33, Sarah Bliss ; moved from Long- 
meadow to Wilbraham, 1741. Their children were : — 
Sarah (6), b. May 15, 1734, m. John Langdon; Eunice (0), b. Dec. 15, 17.35, d. ; El- 
dad (6), b. Aug. 13, 1737 ; Phineas (0), b. May 19, 1739 ; Zadock (0), b. Aug. 12, 1741 ; Eu- 
nice (0), b. Nov. 15, 1743, m. David Lyon May 17, 1764; Ruth (6), b. Feb. 10, 1740; Han- 
nah (0), b. Aug. 10, 1748; Stephen (0), b. Sept. 28, 1750, d. ; Stephen (6), b. 

April 28, 1752; Gad (0), b. Feb. 12, 1756. 

Aaron Stebbins (5), son of Samuel (4), m. Mary Wood, Oct. 18, 1744. Their children were : 
Mary (0), b. June 19, 1748, m. George Saxton; Aaron (0), b. March 20, 1750; James (0), 

b. Dec. 31, 1751, d. ; Seth (6), b. Sept. 0, 1754; Martha (0), b. Feb. 15, 1757, 

d. ; James (0), b. Oct. 6, 1700; This family removed early to Vershire, Vt. " 

proses Stebbins (5), son of Samuel (4), m. Dorcas Hale, June 27, 1749. Their children were: 
Moses (0), b. May 3, 1750; Calvin (0), b. July .30. 1751 ; Esther (0), b. Jan. 20, 1755; Am- 
brose (6), b. Oct. 17, 1756; Dorcas (6), b. Feb. 17, 1759, d. ; David (6), b. Feb. 29, 

1760; Timothy (6), b. April 17, 1702; Dorcas (6), b. Aug. 2, 1705; Chester (0), b. 
Jan. 23, 1709; Thankful (6), b. March 21, 1773. 

Lieut. Noah Stebbins (0), son of Samuel (5), was m. to Margaret Stebbins, dr. of Jonathan 
Stebbins, May 22, 1706. Their children were : — 
Noah (7), b. Feb. 12, 1766; Azariah (7), b. Oct. 27, 1707; Margaret (7), b. May 5, 1709, m. 
Augustus Sisson; Elijah (7), b. Jan. 14, 1772; Luther (7), b. Oct. 25, 1773; Marcy (7), 
b. Dec. 8, 1775; Luther (7), b. June 12, 1777; John (7), b. Aug. 13, 1779; Charity (7), b. 
Nov. 23, 1781 ; Persis (7), b. Sept. 23, 1784. 

Eldad Stebbins (0), son of Stephen (5), m., April 11, 1705, Ann Badger, dr. of Henry Badger. 
Their children were : — 
Ann (7), b. Feb. 4, 1761, m. Noah Stebbins (7); Bina (7), b. Aug. 11, 1767, m. Samuel 

Lyman ; Eldad (7), b. June 13, 1767; d. ; Gilbert (7), b. March 11, 1769, m. Mary 

Wood, removed to New York; Luther and Calvin (7), b. March 2, 1771, d. ; 

Lovice (7), b. March 7, 1772, d. ; Eldad (7), b. April 4, 1774; Luther (7), b. Sept. 

29, 1770 ; Calvin (7), b. March 5, 1778; Alpheus (7), b. July 28, 1780; Lovice (7), b. Dec. 
7, 1782, m. Stephen Stebbins (7). 

I'hineas Stebbins (0), son of Stephen (5), m., May 19, 1707, Ann Chaffee. Their children 
were : - 



307 

Phiueas (7), b. July 13, 17()S ; Anna (7), b. March 7, 17f)9; Walter (7), b. Dec. 30, 1770; 

Silas (7), b. Oct. 30, 1772, d. ; Harvey (7), b. , removed to New York ;' 

Lucina (7), b. Jan. 29, 1775, d. ; Lucina (7), b. Sept. 12, 1780, m. Luther Stebbins. 

Zadock Stebbins (0), m. Elizabeth Fease, Nov. li), 1704. Their children were : — 

Zadock (7), b. April 2, 17C5; Augustus (7), b March 28, 17G7; John (7).b. Sept. 15, 17C9; 
riavia (7), b. Nov. .30, 1771, m. John Roper; Cliauncey (7), b. Aug. 13, 1774; Abigail 
(7), b. Aug-. 14, 1776. 
Stephen Stebbins (fi), m. Chloe Hale, 1770. Their children were : — 

Stephen (7), b. Oct. 18, 1779, d. 18(53; Sylvanus (7), b, Aug. 15,1781; Solomon (7), b. Aug. 

2, 1783 ; Porter (7), b. , d. ; Samuel (7), b. , d. ; Chloe (7), b. 

, m. (1) Ira Leach, m. (2) Converse Sliepard. 

Moses Stebbins, (6), son of Moses (5), m. Hannah Hale, of Enfield, 1770. Their children 
were : — 

Clarissa (7) ; Warren, d. ; Asenath (7), m. Amasa Worthington, Williamstown, 

Vt.; Hannah, (7), ra. Geo, Calkins, Waterbury V^t.; Milo (7), m. Betsey Fisk, Wil- 
liamstown, Vt. ; David (7); Dorcas (7), m. Abijah White, Williamstown, Vt.; Flavel 
(7), m. Chloe Warner; Moses. Moses, the father, m. (2) Catharine Chapin, Ludlow. 
Calvin Stebbins (G), son of Moses (5), m. Sarah Saxton, May 5, 1785. Their children were : 
Sarah (7), b. Sept. 6, 1780, d. March 14, 1852; Experience (7), b. Sept. 30, 1787; Cal- 
vin (7), b. Oct. 20, 1789, m. Fanny Gager, Wellington, Ct. ; Gorhani (7), b. Dec. 24, 

1791, m. Lydia Shutts, Hinsdale, N. Y.; Charlotte (7), b. Sept. 24, 1793; Laura (7), 
b. Dec. 25, 1795, d. Feb. 27, 1797; Amanda (7), b. Nov. 10, 1797, m. Kobert Sessions. 

David Stebbins (ij), son of Moses (5), m. Mary Charter, Ellington, Ct., Marcli 11. 1790. He 
died Jan. 24, 1844. Their children were : — 
Mary (7), b. Dec. 10, 1790, m. John Selden, m. Benoni Atchinsou ; Marcia (7), b. Aug. 23, 
1792; John Cliarter (7), b. Sept. 28, 1794, m. Anna Greggs, Brimfield, Mass. ; Lucia (7), 
b. Dec. 14, 179(), m. James Stanton, May 27, 1829; Erastus Hill (7), b. Marcli 1, 1800, 
ra. Betsey Langdon; David Austin (7), b. Dec. 13, 1803, d. Jan. 24, 1800. 
Aaron Stebbins (6), son of Aaron (5), m. Mary — . Their children were : — 

Seth (7), b. Jan. 23, 1701 ; Enoch (7), b. Jan. 5, 1763. 
Noah Stebbins (7), sou of Noah (6), m. Anna Stebbins, dr. of Eldad Stebbins (0), Jan. 5, 

1792. Their children were : — 

Ferocia (8), b. April 2, 1793, m. Ephraim Fuller, d. Sept. 3, 18.34; Sempronia (8), b. 
May 10, 1794, in. Daniel Mixter; Minerva (8), b. Jan. 3, 179l>, d. Aug. 14, 18.39; Anna 
Miranda (8), b. July 23, 1797, d. Jan. 1798; Anna Miranda (8), b. Oct. 23, 1798, d. Marcli 
7, 18.38; Almira (8), b. Oct. 11, 1800, d. May 10, 1845 ; Noah Granger (8), b. July 2, 
1802; Henry Badger (8), b. Jan. 20, 1805, d. Dec. 16, 18.33; Lucinda (8), b. Jan. 23, 1808, 

m. Edwin Walkley, Montgomery, Ala., d. . Noah Stebbins, the father, d. June 7, 

1828. Anna, the motlier, d, March 10, 1861. 
Luther Stebbins (7), son of Noah (6), m. Phebe Hitchcock, Nov. 27, 1805. He died Aug. 18, 
1800. Their cliildren were : — 

Orson (8), b. July 9, 1807; Laura (8), b. March 12, 1809, m. Smith Calkins ; Margaret (8), 
b. Feb. 4, 1812, m. Isaac W. Leach, Aug. 4, 1830; Desire (8), b. Sept. 23, 1814. d. March 
2,1845; Sally(8),b. Oct. 23, 1810, m. Manassah Knowlton, Feb. 27, 1839; Milton (8), b. 
Junes, 1819; Phcbe (8), b. Dec. 13, 1820, m. Seymour Hills, Somers, Ct.; Hiram (8),b. 
April 6, 1823, m. Mary Houghton, and (2) Susan Lawrence; Lucia (8), b. June 28, 
1825, m. Stebbins Fosket March 13, 1847. 
Luther Stebbins (7), son of Eldad (6), m. Lucina (7), dr. of Phineas (0). He d. Aug. 31, 1825, 
a-^ed 49. She d. Jan. 28, 1848, aged 07. Their children were : — 

Lutlier Lester (8), b. Feb. 7, 1803, m. Sophia Shaw, Oct. 15, 1829; Lucina Elvira (8), 
b Auo- .30 1807, m. Thomas Isham; Rufus Phineas (8), b. 3Iarch 3, 1810, m. Eliza C. 
Livermore, Cambridge, Sept., 1837; Emily Anna (8), b. Dec. 17, 1822, m. JohnLang- 

Calvin°Stebbins (7), son of Eldad Stebbins (6), m. Amelia Adanfis, dr. of John and Rebecca 
Adams, Nov. .30, 1815. He d. Jan. 22, 1859. She d. Dec. 14, 1827. He m. (2) Sarah 
Eliza Langdon, Jan. 16, 1833. The children by 1st wife were : - 

Roderick (8), b. Nov. 14, 1816, m. ; Randolph (8), b. Aug. 24, 1819, m. Sophl.a 1 . 

Keyes, Longmeadow, Nov. 18, (.') 1800; Horatio (8), b. Aug. 8. 1821, m. ; Calvin 



308 



Adams (8), b. May 29, 1825, d. Sept. 25, 1820; an infant son, b. Oct. 5, 1827, d. Oct. 10. 
Cliililren by 2d wife: — 
An infant son, b. Oct. 13, 18-34, d. Oct. 29; Calvin (8) b. April 22, 1830; Amelia (8), b. 
Oct. 8, 1837, d. Nov. 12, 1857. 
Alpheus Stebbins (7), son of Eldad (0), m. Mary Holt, West Springfield, Nov. 14, 1805. He 
d. Sept. 25, 1857. Their children were : — 

Melissa (8) b. June 2, 1802, d. ; Eldad Holt (8), b. July 1, 1809, m. Miriam Chaffee, 

April 3, 1832; Dwight Mason (8), b. Aug. 7, 1811, m. Tryphena Sikes, Aug. 27, 184- ; 
Clarissa (8), b. June 24, 1813, d. Sept. 8, 1830; Jackson (8), b. Nov. 4, 1815; Dixon (8), 

b. Feb. 13, 1818, d. ; Margaret A. (8), b. May 3, 1820, d. Feb. 1, 1850; Mary (8), 

b. Nov. 5, 1825, d. . 

Ste])hen Stebbins (7), son of Stephen (0), m. Lovice (7), dr. of Eldad (0). She d. May 16, 

1857. He d. , 1803. Their children were : — 

Mary Ann (8), b. Aug. 9, 1807, d. Oct. 23, 1825 ; Celestina (8) b. Sept. 20, 1810, m. Lyman 
Phelps, Springfield, May 23, 1849; Angeline (8), b. Jan. 28, 1813, d. June 19, 1839; 
Juliana (8), b. July, 1815, d. Oct. 21, 1831 ; Jane Maria (8), b. Feb., 1820, d. July 25, 1841 ; 
Frances C. (8), b. Feb. 1822, d. Dec. 14, 1843; Sarah Cordelia (8), b. July 23, 1823, m. 
Solomon West, Nov. 14, 185-. 
Phineas Stebbins (7), son of Phineas (0), m. Phebe Dunham. He d. Nov. 6, 1822. She d. 

. Their children were : — 

Oliver (8), m. Rachel Dunham had William; Orin (8), m. Burleigh; MeziesRay- 

ner (8), m. Julia Lyman, had Edmund and Lucina; Caroline (8), b. 1800, d. Oct. 
1823; Isaac (8), d. Oct. 1823 ; Persis (8), m. Reuben Cadwell, (2) Ransom Sperry. 
Walter Stebbins (7), son of Phineas (6) m. Azubah, dr. of John Carpenter, Oct. 0, 1801, m. 

(2), Esther W. King, May 1, 1837. He d. April 19, 1855. Azubah d. . Their 

children were : — 
Clark Brown (8), b. Oct. 8, 1802, m. Margaret Tobey, Springfield: Olive Chapel (8), b. 
March -30, 1804, m. Rodolphus Chaffee ; William Carpenter (8), b. Aug. 13, ISOO, m. 
Eliza Perrin, March 3, 1829, had Frances Ann Eliza, b. June 5, 1830, he d. April 8, 
1801 ; Anna Maria (8), b. Nov. 13, ISOS, m. Alvin Day ; Almira Waitstill (S), b. May 25, 
1812, m. Horace Pease ; Jackson Walter (8), b. Aug. 9, 1820, m. Fanny M. Burt, 
killed in 2d battle of Bull Run, Aug. 29, 1802 ; Stillman Needham, b. Aug. 19, 1822, 
killed by lightning, July 15, 1834. 

Augusttis Stebbins (7), son of Zadock (0). m. . 

Chauncey Stebbins (7), son of Zadock (0), m. Nancy Chaffee, m. (2) Huldah Chaffee. Their 
children were : — 

Chauncey ; Nancy, . 

David Stebbins (7), son of Moses (6), m. Mary Cone. He d. 1850. Their children were : — 
Persis (8), b. Nov. 25, 1814; George (8), b. March 5, 1816, m. Orissa Kingsley, May, 1836; 

Emily (8), b. Nov. 18, 1817, m. R. Oscar Sessions, April 13, 1843; Jane (8), d. ; 

Dudley (8); Alfred (8;, m. Emeline Hendrick, May, 1847; Lafayette (8); Jane (8), b. 
Aug., 1827; Mary (8), b. April, 1829. 
Moses Stebbins (7), son of Moses (6), m. Ruth Thwing. Their children were : — 

Horace (8); Hannah (8); Semantha: family removed to Ohio. 
Afoses Granger Stebbins (8), son of Noah Stebbins (7), m. Sophronia Hitchcock, Oct. 2, 
1833. Their children were : — 
Amelia Sophia (9), b. Oct. 13, 1834; George Henry (9), b. April 29. 1838, m. Harriet 
Bugbee, Feb., 1802; Benjamin Franklin (9), b. Jan. 12, 1840, d. June 24, 1842; Lu- 
cinda Victoria (9), Oct. 16, 1842; Benjamin Franklin (9), b. May 8, 1847, d. Sept. 9, 
1850; Byron G. (9), b. Sept. 28, 1850. 
Orson Stebbins (8), son of Luther (7), grandson of Noah (0), m. Nancy Barnes, Palmer, 
July 1, 1835. Their children were : — 
Lucinda (9), b. Nov. 1836, d. Sept. 11, 1838; Henry (9), b. 1839. 
Milton Stebbins (8), son of Luther (7), grandson of Noah (0), m. Angeline H. Wood, Fayette- 
ville, Vt., March 6, 1845. Their children were : — 
Jane (9), b. Aug. 2, 1840; Charles (9), b. Feb. 10, 1855. 
Randolph Stebbins (S), son of Calvin Stebbins (7), m. Sophia P. Keyes, Longmeadow, Nov^ 
18 (•?), 1840. Their children were : — 



309 



Frank Randolph (9), b. 184->, d. in Hospital at Nevvbern, N. C, 1803; Amelia Sophia ('.)), 

b. Feb. 1844, m. ; Emma Celestina (9), b. March, 1847. 

Luther Lester Sfebbins (8), son of Luther (7), grandson of Eldad (C), m. Sophia, dr. or 
Luther Shaw, Oct. 15, 1829. Their children were : — 

Luther (9) b. Sept. 1.3, 1831, m. ; Lueian (9), b. Feb. 1, 1833; m. ; Cyrus (9), 

b. Nov. 11, 1S35; Jane Maria (9), b. Aug. 31, 1841, d. Feb. 4, 1844 ; Jane Maria (9), b. 
Dec. 3, 1843; Maria Jane (9), b. June 9. 1845; Rufus Phineas (9), b. Oct. 20, 1849, d. 
18()1 (.'). Family removed to to Pittsfield, Pike Co., Illinois. 
Rufus Phineas Sfebbins (8), son of Luther (7), grandson of Eldad (0), m. Eliza C. Liver- 
more, Cambridge, Sept. 11, 18.37. Their child was: — 
Nathaniel Livermore (9), b. Jan. 9, 1847. 

There was an Aaron Stebbins resided on the farm north of l\Ir. Tliomas Lsham's, many 
years ago, whose connection with the other Stebbinses I am not able to trace. He removed 
to the Reserve in Ohio, long since. The children were Aaron, Joel, Dan, Enoch, Rebecca, 
Rhoda, Eunice, Mary, Lois. 
There was an Enos Stebbins, wlio lived, before and during the period of the Revolution, 
near Dea. John B. Morris's, who was connected with the other Stebbinses thus: — 
Uowland (1) had Tliomas (2), who had Samuel (3), who had Samuel (4), who had Jonathan 

(5), who had, 
Enos (0), b. July 20, 1740, m. Mary, dr. of Samuel (5), his own cousin. Their children 
were : — 
Mary (7), b. April 21, 1763; Eleanor (7), b. May 16, 1764; Jonathan (7), b. Nov. 1, 1705; 
Beulah (7), b. Sept. 24, 1767; Cloe (7), b. May 7, 17G9; Byram (7), b. 1771 ; Brainard 
(7), b. Feb. 25, 1773; Bliss (7), b. Jan. 20, 1775. 



Stebbins C Caleb J Family. 

This family is descended from Rowland, thus : — 
Rowland's son, Thomas (2), had Thomas (3), who had Thomas (4), who had Caleb (5), 
who had Caleb (6), b. Jan. 8, 1742, who came to Wilbraham, and who m. Mehitable 
Cliapin, (b. Sept. 4, 1740), Jan., 17C5. He died March 28, 1787, aged 45. She died Feb. 
28, 1808, aged 62. Their children were : — 
Mindwell (1st), b. Feb. 7, 1700, d. JIarch 22, 1766; Mindwell (2d), b. April 19, 1767; 
Frederick, b. April 4, 1768, d. April 1, 1854; Rufus, b. Jan. 2, 1770, d. July 3, 1801; 
Caleb, b. 3Iarch 28, 1771, d. Feb. 9, 1777; Lois, b. Aug. 19, 1772; John, b. Sept. .3, 1773, 
d. Jan. 11, 1857; Elizabeth, b. Jan. 22, 1775; Roxana, b. March 25, 1776; Caleb, b. Dec. 
11, 1777 ; Josiah, b. Feb. 26, 1779; Luther, b. Oct. 27, 1780; Martha, b. Aug. 4, 1782, d. 
Jan. 3, 1783; Lucus, b. April 10, 1785, d. June 9, 1785. 
Frederick Stebbins, for his 1st wife, m. Mary Parsons, of Enfield, Ct., who died Jan. 7, 1809, 
aged 39, and by whom he had five children : — 
Polly; Ralph, who d. Dec, 1852, aged 55 years; Persis; John, who d. May 16, 1805, aged 
4 years ; Harry, who d. Feb. 12, 1804, aged 8 months. 
Frederick Stebbins, b. April 4, 1768, d. April 1, 1854, aged 86 years. Sylvia Edson, his 2d 
wife, dr. of Benjamin Edson, of Wilbraham, was b. May 20, 1789, m. July 1, 1810, 
d. June 21, 1862, aged 73. Their children were : — 
Minerva, b. Jan. 31, 1811, still living; Jason, b. Sept. 27, 1812, still living; Harry, b. 
Feb 9, 1815, d. same year; Jerry, b. March 22, 1810, d. 1817: Jane, b. Feb. 12, IS is, d. 
April, 1848; Charlotte, b. July 1, 1820, d. March, 1845; Sarah Ann, b. Nov. 16, 1822, 
still living; George H.,b. May 11, 1825, still living. „,„,- 

Jason Stebbins m. Elvira Colton, dr. of David Colton, of Monson, Mass., Nov. 9, 183,. 
Their children were : — t i i 

Henry J., b. Sept. 8, 18.38; Harriet E., b. Oct. 13, 1840, d. June 5, 1842; Ellen J b. <)uiu-, 
1843 ; Stillman C, b. May 27, 1845; Artlmr L., b. Feb. 15, 1849; John G., b. Jeb. 23, 1851. 
George H. Stebbins m. Cynthia A. Billings, Jencksville, April, 1850. Their children were : 
Frederick L., b. Feb. 3, 1852; Frank E., b. Feb. 10, 1854; Fannie A , b. bept. 3, is,«. 



310 



WARNER FAMILY. 
Daniei^ Warner m. Jerusha Hitchcock, and settled in Wilbraham about tlie year 173'^ or 
3, — tlie tliird family that came into town. Their children were : — 
Comfort, b. March 15, 1734, the first child b. in this town, d. July 14, 1757; Daniel, b. 
Dec. 20, 1735, d. July 22, 1748; Jesse, b. Oct. 15, 1738; Jerusha, b. Aug. 17, 1741, d. 
Nov. 1, 1749; David, b. April 11, 1746, d. April 12, 1746; Daniel, b. July 22, 1748. 
Daniel, the father, d. July 23, 1774, aged 66. Jerusha, the mother, d. Dec. 2, 1797, 
aged 88. 

Jesse, son of Daniel and Jerusha Warner, m. Hannah . Their children were : — 

Jesse, b. Sept. 11, 1702, d. Sept. 18, 1764; Jerusha, b. Jan. 15, 1705; Jesse, b. Sept. 15, 
1765; Daniel, b. July 14, 1767, drowned in Chicopee Kiver Feb. 20, 1807; Clarissa, b. 

June 5, 1769, d. ; Ichabod, b. Aug. 22, 1771 ; David, b. Nov. 26, 1773, d. June 0, 

1775; David, b. Aug. 22, 1775; Noah, b. June 29, 1777, d. Oct. 8, 1778; Clarissa, b. Jan. 
10, 1780; Noah, b. Aug. 8, 1783. 

Jesse, son of Jesse and Hannah Warner, m. Mary . Their children were : — 

Polly, b. May 17, 1787, d. Oct. 21, 1799; Nathan, b. Sept. 22, 1789; David, b. ; Cla- 
rissa, b. March 7, 1794; Thomas, b. July 18, 1790; Jesse, b. Nov. 25, 1798; Pynchon, b. 

April 8, ISOl; John, b. . 

David, son of Jesse and Hannah Warner, m. Sarah Lyon. Their children were : — 

Daniel, b. Aug. 7, 1792; Wm. Colton, b. April 21, 1801; Philip Lyon, b. Dec. 11. 1803. 
Samuel ira,r»er (surnamed "Clark"), m. Mary Gilling July 17, 1735 (?). Their children 
were : — 
Samuel, b. 1733 ( ?); Hannah, b. July 8, 1735, d. May 20, 1751 ; Mary, b. August 16, 1737; 
Rhoda, b. Oct. 0, 1739; Elisabeth, b. October 7, 1741 ; Nathaniel E., b. Jan. 24, 1744; 
Phanuel, b. June 19, 1745, d. June 9, 1770, in the Army ; Asenath, b. March, 8, 1749. 

Mary, the mother died June 0,1754. The father m. Hannah . Their children 

were : — 
Hannah, b. July 20, 1701; James, b. Nov. 11, 1703; Azriel, b. August 28, 1766; Sally, b. 
July 18, 1770. 

Samuel, Jr., son of Samuel and Mary Warner, m. Ann . Their children were : — 

Ann, b. Nov. 17, 1758 ; Seth, b. Dec. 2, 1700 ; Louisa, b. May 26, 1762; Samuel, b. Nov. 

27, 1763. The father died Dec. 14, 1823, aged 90 years. 

Azriel, son of Samuel and Hannah Warner, m. Betsey Shaw, Nov. 7, 1793. Their children 
were : — 
Polly Shaw, b. August 17, 1794 ; Laura Belden, b. Sept. 13, 1796; Azriel Corban, b. April 

28, 1799 ; William Bowman, b. February 15, 1805. 

James, son of Samuel and Hannah Warner, m. Olive Kilbon, January 8, 1792. Their chil- 
dren were : — 

Lucinda, b. AprD, 1792; Caroline, b. June 11, 1795 ; James Franklin, b. Jan. 15, 1802. 
Samuel Warner, .Jr., son of Samuel Warner, Jr., b. November 27, 1763, m. 1792, d. September 
30, 1824; Eunice Jones, his wife, b. Nov. 24, 1771 ; d. April 14, 1859. Their children 
were : — 

Abigail, b. Feb. 9, 1793, m. Orrin Webster; Vashni, b. Nov. 10, 1794, m. Nov. 10, 1817, Mer- 
tia Alden, d. Sept. 6, 1834; Polly, b. January 29, 1797, d. Oct. 21, 1799 ; Eunice, b April 
13, 1799, d. Oct. 29, 1800; Samuel, b. May 14, 1801, m. Oct. 25, 1827, Emeline Cooley, 
d. Oct. 28, 1859; Mary, July 14, 1803, m. April 4, 1827, Horace Clark, d. April 9, 1828; 
Levi, b. Feb. 17, 1806, m. March 26, 1833, Lorinda Alden ; Hiram, b. March 17, 1808, d. 
Aug. 31, 1826; Lucinda, b. April 14, 1811, ni , Jan. 1, 1837, Julius Parker; Edmund, b. 
August 3, 1813, m. Elizabeth AVoodruflr, d. 1851. 
Vashni Warner, son of Samuel and Eunice Warner, m. 31ertia Alden, Nov. 10, 1817. Their 
children were : — 

Sarah, b. Aug. 25, 1818, m. December, 1843, Amos H. Putnam; Lyman, b. February 12, 
1820; Eunice, b. Aug 0, 1821, m. Nov. 21, 1855, Reuben Jones; Alden, b. April 14, 
1823, m. April 14, 1846, Catherine Dimmick ; Phidelia, b. February 8, 1825, d. April 10, 
1845; Hiram, b. January 28, 1827, m. Jan. 16, 1850, Clarinda Eaton ; Vashni, b. Oct. 
12, 1828, m. April 15, 1859, Julia E. Converse; James, b. Aug. 25, 1830, m. April, 1856, 
Almira Miller; Ellen, b. June 15, 1832, m. June 15. 1855, George Foster, d. April 28, 
1859. 



311 

Samuel Warner, Jr., son of Samuel and P:iinice Warner, m. Emelinc Coolev, October 25, 
1827. Tlieir chiklren were : — 
Francis J., b. Oct. 2C, 1S29, m. April 21, 1S53, Laura A. Diminick: Mary L., b. June .30, 
1831, m. Jan. 1, 1857, William H. Lyman; Edmund W., b. June 5, 183f), d. iMarch 15, 
1837 ; Emma A., b. July 1, 18.30, d. Oct. 2, 1813; Clarissa O., b. Dec. 14, 1841, d. Octo- 
ber 27, 1843; Dwight \Y., h. Nov. 4, 1851, d. February 24, 1852. 
Levi Warner, son of Samuel and Eunice Warner, m. Lorinda Akkn, March 2(;, I8.!3. Their 
children were : — 
Lucinda B., b. June 5, 1835, d. Jan. 13, 1839; Lorinda A., b. March 22, 1837, d. Jan. 25, 
1830; Edmund W., b. June 28, 1838, d. August 14, 18G3, soon after discharge from ser- 
vice as a Mass. volunteer; George A., b. July 13, 1840 ; Levi J., b. Dee. 31, 1842, d. 
Augusts, 1802, in U. S. service at Beaufort, S. C. ; Simeon B. July 4, 18-14. 
Aklen Warner, son of Vashni Warner and Mertia his wife, m. Catherine Dimmick, April 
14, 1846. Their children were : — 
Fidelia C, b. November 20, 1847; Ella A., b. September, 1850, d. April 17, 1857; Emma 
L., b. July 23, 1850; Frank A., b. Nov. 20, 1800; Silas D., b. Dec. 8, 1802. 
Hiram Warner, son of Vashni and Mertia Warner, m. Clarinda Eaton, January 10, 18.50. 
Their children were : — 
Jane O., b. October, 1850; Frederick B., b. February, 1850; H. Leroy, b. Jlay, 1850; 
Lizzie, b. July 3, 1803. 
Francis J. Warner, son of Samuel Warner and Eunice his wife, m. Laura A. Dimmick, 
April 21, 1853. Their children were: — 
Charles F., b. July 17, 1850; L. Roselle, b. June 20, 1850; Clara E., b. October 20, 1801. 



WARRINER FAMILIES. 

Ben.tajiin Warriner, b. 1098, m. Mercy . Their children were : — 

Benjamin, b. ; Eunice, b. April 3, 1730; Jacob and Israel, twins, b. May 19, 

1742; Isaac, b. August 28, 1745. Benjamin, the father, d. ; Mercy, the mother, 

died . 

Benjamin TF«rrifter, son of Benjamin and Mercy, m.Persis — - . Their children were : — 

Persis.b. Jan. 5, 1750; Benjamin, b. March3, 1751; AVillard, b. Feb. 17,1753; Esther, b. 

Feb. 10, 1755 ; Lydia, b. Nov. 5, 1757; Bathsheba, b. Feb. 10, 1700; Gad, b. Jan. 20, 

1702; Elijah, b. Jan. 25, 1704; Jlercy, b. JIarch 10, 1700; Zadock, b. Feb. 29, 1708; 

Phebe,b. April, 13, 1770; Jeremiah, b. August 22, 1772. Benjauuu, the father, d. ; 

Persis, the mother, died . 

Isaac, son of Benjamin and Mercy Warriner, m. Lydia Torrey. Tlieir children were : — 

Jacob, b. April 18, 1708; Sarah, b. Aug. 13, 1709; Sally, b. July 10, 1771. 
Willard Warriner, son of Benjamin and Persis, m. Lois Stebbins. Their children were : 
Bathsheba, b. April 27, 1780; Lucinda, b. July 30, 1782. 

Gad, son of Benjamin and Persis Warriner, m. Lucy . Their children were : — 

Chester, b. Jan. 1, 1784; Willis, b. July 10, 1785. 

Zadocl; son of Benjamin and Persis Warriner, m. 3Iary , Their children were : — 

Wheeler, b. Dec. 18, 1780; Polly, b. June 21, 1702, d. ; Polly, b. Feb. 12, 1795. 



Reuben Warriner m. Sarah . Their children were : — 

Eeuben, b. Nov. 7, 1750; Sarah, b. Dec. 2, 1757, d. Jan. 17, 1758. 



David Warriner m. Mary . Their children were : — 

Mary, b. March 23, 1740, d. Oct. 15, 1753; David, b. Jlay 13, 1742; Charles, b. April 15, 
1744; Margaret, b. Aug. 12, 1740, d. July 8, 1824, aged 80; Jonathan, b. Sept. 10, 1740, 

d. April 15, 1810. David, the father, d. ; Mary, the mother, d. . 

David Warriner, son of David and Mary, m. Joanna Jloody. Their children wi're : — 
Mary. b. June 17, 1772, d. young; Joanna, b. March 14, 1774, d. April 10, 1770; Jerusha, 
b. Nov. 17, 1775, d. young; David, b. Jan. 3, 1778; Joanna, b, Dec. 5, 1770, ni. John 
Rice, Dec. 23, 1802; Charles, b. Oct. 7, 1782; Jerusha, b. March 15, 1785, ra. William 



312 



Rice, Sept. 17, ISOO. David, the father, d. March 26, 1827. Joanna, the mother d. 
March 16, 1820. 
David, son of David and Joanna, m. Fanny M'Cray. Tlieir children were : — 

Caroline, b. , m. Joel M. Lyman, July 1, 1824; Charlotte W. b. Aug. 23, 1816, m. 

Alvah S. Davis, Dec. 4. 1847; Emeline, b. July 20, 1818, m. Lyman Wood, Sept. 10, 
1836, d. May 31, 1860; John M., b. Oct. 28, 1820; Mary J., b. Nov. 19, 1823, m. 
Samuel Dall, Nov. 14, 1845, d. Jan. 20, 18.57 ; David M'Cray, b. Oct. 28, 1828, d. Aug., 
1851. David, the father, d. March 26, 1827; Fanny, the mother, d. Nov. 9, 1827. 
Charles, son of David and Joanna Warriner, m. Priscilla Paddock, June 27, 1834. Their 
children were : — 
Charles M., b. Oct. 23, 18.34; George P., b. Aug. 10, 1836. Charles, the father, d. June 3, 
1852. 
John M., son of David and Fanny Warriner, m. Orpha A. Moses, Nov. 7, 1844. Tlioir chil- 
dren were : — 
Fanny, b. May, 1849; Emma, b. April, 1852. 
Charles M., son of Charles and Priscilla Warriner, m. Elizabeth C. S. Hale, June 15, 1854. 
Their children were : — 
Charles H., b. April 20, 1855; Ella B., b. June 6, 1858. 
George P., son of Charles and Priscilla Warriner, m. Emma J. Green, Nov. 4, 1857. Their 
child was : — 
Georse H., b. April 16, 1859. 



Moses Warriner m. Anna . Their cliildren were: — 

Moses, b. 1742; Samuel, b. Aug. 30, 1744; Anna, Aug. 10, 1746, d. Sept. 7, 1748; Noah, b. 

Oct. 27, 1748; Nathaniel, b. Oct. IS, 1750; Anna and Abner, twins, b. Dec. 1, 1752; 

Daniel, b. Jan. 16, 1756; Miriam, b. April 1, 1758. Anna, the mother, d. Aug. 22, 1795, 

aged SO. Moses, the father, d. . 

Moses Warriner, Jr., son of Moses and Anna Warriner, m. Mary Warner. Their children 

were : — 
Mary, b. Sept. 24, 1764 ; Susannah, b. Sept. 18, 1766, m, Isaac Lewis, March 28, 1787; 

Lydia, b. March 22, 1769, m. Noah Dean, Jan. 30, 1800; Moses, b. May 24, 1771; Eli- 

diah, b. June 15, 1773; Elisabeth, b. July 4, 1775, m. Jonathan Kilbon, April 28, 

1796 ; Flavia, b. Feb. 18, 1782, m. Thomas Glover, Feb. 10, 1803. Moses, the father, d. 

Oct. 4, 1809; Mary, the mother, d. . 

Lieut. Noah Warriner, son of Moses and Anua,-m. 1st wife, Grace Gregory, 2d wife, Mary 

Ainsworth. Their children were : — 
Anna Gregory, b. May 4, 1778; Grace, b. Nov. 7, 1781. Grace, the mother, d. . 

Polly, b. July 27, 1783, drowned in Nine-mile Pond, April 29, 1709 ; Linda, b. July 23, 

1785; Margaret, b. Aug. 1, 1787; Sophronia, b. July 11, 1790; Dolly, b. July 6, 1793. 

Noah, the father, d. Jan. 31, 1797, aged 48. Mary, the mother, d. . 

Nathaniel, son of Moses and Anna Warriner, m. Diiidenia Hancock. Their children were : 

Nathaniel, b. June 7, 1770; Diadema, b. July 17, 1777; Sarah, b. Feb. l(i, 1788; Cyn- 
thia, b. July 9, 1791 ; Daniel, b. April 6, 1779; Nancy, b. April 11, 1781 ; Etlina and 

Luther, twins, b. March 21, 1784. Nathaniel, the father, d. . Diadema, the 

mother, d. . 

Abner War-riner, son of Moses and Anna Warriner, m. Elizabeth Wright. Their children 

were : — 
Abner, b.Aug. .30, 1779; Walter, b. April 30, 1781 ; Ira, b. April 4, 1783; Warren, b. Jan. 

10, 1785; Julia, b. Dec. 17,1788; Phebe, b. Dec. 27,1789; Alfred, b. May 30, 1791; 

Theodore, b. March 20,1793; Samuel, b. April 22, 1795; Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1797; 

Noah, b. May 14, 1799. Abner, the fiither, d. . Elizabeth, the mother, d. . 

Warren, son of Abner, and Elizabeth Warriner, m. Catharine . Their children 

were : — 
Lorenzo, b. June 11, 1807; Koxanna, b. Nov. 6, 1809; Alford, b. June 10, 1801; Wm. F 

b. Sept. 19, 1813. 



313 

Capt. James Warriner, who lead the Lexington men, m. Miriam . Thoii- chil- 
dren were : — 
James, b. 1745; Solomon, b. Aug. 10, 1753 ; Miriam, b. Jan. 22, 1756; Stephen, b. June 

8, 1760; Thomas, b. , d. May 21, 1821 ; Ethan, b. July 8, 1763, d. March 28, 1815; 

Anna Charity, b. Jan. 25, 1768, d. May 25, 1792, aged 2;"). 

Solomon, son of James and Miriam Warriner, m. Mary Moore. The children were : — 

Solomon, b. March 24, 1778; Polly, b. Jan 29, 1780, m. Samuel Holman, Nov. 27, 1800; 
Sophia, b. May 11, 1782, d. Dec. 20, 1807, aged 25; Jeremy, b. June 10, 1785; Ua'lph, b'. 
July 1, 1787, d. 1816; Nabby, b. Oct. 19, 1790, m. Otis Colton, Oct. 26, 1814; Lorenzo, 

b. Aug. 30, 1792, d. July 10, 1814, aged 22. Mary, the mother, died . 

The father m., for his 2d wife Betsey Jones, March 1, 1795. Their children were : — 
Betsey, b. June 19, 1795, m. Pynchon Biiss, May 15, 1816; James, b. Aug. 5, 1797; Ku- 
nice, b. Dec. 10, 1800; Lyman, b. Jan. 20, 1802; Wells, b. June 11, 1807. Solomon, tlie 
father, d. March 12, 1816, aged 63. Betsey, the mother, d. . 

Stephen, son of Capt. James and Miriam Warriner, m. Elizabeth Ely and settled in Mon- 
son. 

Solomon, son of Solomon and Mary Warriner, m. Eleanor Keep, March 4, 1801. Their chil- 
dren were : — 
Solomon, b. Feb. 10, 1802, d. Oct. 21, 1860; Francis, b. Nov. 20, 1804; William Pitt, b. 
Oct. 29, 1806, d. May 25, 1863; Sophia Eleanor, b. June 14, 1808, d. April 26, 1848; 
Henry, b. May 5, 1810, d. May 25, 18.38. Eleanor, the mother died, and the father m., 
for second wife, Mary Bliss, July 4, 1811. Their children were : — 
Lewis, b. May 12, 1812; Mary Bliss, b. Feb. 11, 1814; Elisabeth Bliss, b. Feb. 4, 1816. 

Jeremy, son of Solomon and Mary Warriner, m. Phebe Bates, Dec. 9, 1810. No children 
were born to them. 

Solomon, son of Solomon and Eleanor Warriner, m. Sarah B. Olmstead, Jan. 21, 1836. 

Francis, son of Solomon and Eleanor Warriner, m. Sarah A. Hamilton, Nov. 24, 1842. 

Wm. Pitt, son of Solomon and Eleanor Warriner, m. Elizabeth E. Fessenden, 1842. 

Sophia Eleanor, daughter of Solomon and Eleanor Warriner, married Charles Merriam 
August 11, 1835, 

Henry, son of Solomon and Eleanor Warriner, m. Elisabetli A. French, 1837. 

Lewis, son of Solomon and Mary Warriner, m. Elisabeth L. Whittlesey, Nov. 9, 18.36. 

Mary Bliss, daughter of Solomon and Mary Warriner, m. Henry Morris 3Iay 16, 1837. 

40 



INDEX. 



5-*^-*-*- 4 .--JO 



2.^ 



K 



Adams, Dea. John, 19, 83. " 

Alvord, Noah, 23. 

Andros, Sir Edmund, 14. 

Academy, 150; history of, 259-262; property 

of, 202; officers of, 202. 
Adventists, 1.38. 
Avery, Abraham, his Presbyterian saddle, 259. 

Baptists in north village, society of organ- 
ized, 98 ; minister settled, 98; meeting- 
house erected, 100, 1.35; in Monson and 
Wilbraham, 1.36; in South Parish, 130; 
petition of, 254. 

Barker, Ezra, called " Master," 65. 

Belcher, Jonathan, Gov., 28. 

Bennett, Rev. Alvin, number of sermons of, 
136. 
rewer, Isaac, 24, 33, 44; for " Riging his 
chamber," 51; son Charles baptized, 54; 
family of, 293; "Bennington Alarm," 11? ; 
men who went, 238. 

Bliss, Ensign Abel, 24, 29, 30, 45, 48 ; commis- 
sioned, 67; house of, 68; family of, 295; 
Abel, Hon., delegate to form new consti- 
tution 1820, 1.33. 

Bliss, John, first representative, 75 ; delegate 
to Provincial Congress, 112 ; pay for, 112 ; 
to Watertown, 116; to form constitution, 
118 ; family of, 295. 

Burt, Dea. Moses, 15; family of, 297. 

Bounties to soldiers, 119; subscribers to, 244 ; 
care of families of, 119; for noxious ani 
mals, 21, 199. 

Chaffee, Comfort, 71 ; in Shepard's army, 
246; in Lexington alarm, 233; in Ben- 
nington alarm, 258. 

Chapin, Abner, 71; Samuel, saying of, 20; 
Ralph S., 84; Silas, 84; family of, 297. 

Clark, Rev. Seth, 98, 130; Mr., donor of land 
for schools, 81. 

Cadvvell, Capt. Daniel, at Ticonderoga, 117; 
roll of his company, 237. 

Celebration, centennial, history of, 175-192; 
day of, 170; meeting, 177; dinner, 178; 
speeches at: Judge Merrick's, 178; Dr. 
Russell's, 181; Rev. Horatio Stebbins's, 



183; Dr. Stebbins's, 187; Springfield Re- 
publican's account of, 190; Hon. George 
Merrick's letter, 192. 

Cider mills and distilleries, 159. 

Cemetery, Woodland Dell, 275. 

Cockril, widow Elizabeth, 25 ; grave of, 200. 

Colton, Isaac 3d, 68; Rev. Calvin, invitation 
of, to North Parish, 142, 250. 

Clothing, 161, 162. 

Constitution of State, representatives to 
form, and instructions to, 118; rejected by 
town, 120; new one, 122; accepted, 124. 

Convention to establish the price of com- 
modities, 122; failure of, 123. 

Councils, church, 94, 95, 258. 

Distnieries of gin, 104. 

Elegy on Thos. Merrick, 200; author of, 206. 
Epitaphs of early settlers, 281-288. 

Fragments, 278-280. 

French war, men in, 67, 207; Warner's Jour- 
nal of, 68, 208-213. 

Game, 20, 26. 

Graduates, 208-272; ladies, 273. 

Genealogies, statement respecting, of Beebe, 
292 ; of Brewer, 293 ; of Bliss, 295 ; of Burt, 
297; of Chapin, 297; of Hendrick, 298; 
of Hitchcock, 298; of Langdon, 299; of 
Merrick, 301 ; of Jlorris, 304; of Russell, 
305; of Stebbins, 305; of Warner, 310; 
of AVarriner, 311. 

Glover, Rev. Pelatiah, 14. 

Hawley, Alanson, comnuinication of, 240- 
243. 

Highways, see Roads. 

Hitchcock, Nathaniel, first settler, 10, 22, 23, 
54 ; John, largest subscriber to bounty 
money, 124; in Lexington Alarm, 23-3; 
at Ticonderoga, 237; family of, 298; an- 
ecdote's of, 298. 

Holyoke, John, 17. 

Houses, finish and Curiiiture of, 26, f)S, 163. 

" Inner Commons," 15. 



316 



Indian deed of Outward Commons, 193. 

King, Ensign and Lieut., "William, 60, 71, ~2, 
232, 233, 244. 

Lamb, Daniel, 24, 41. 

Langdon, John, letters of, 2.30; in Shepard's 

army, 131 ; in French war, 207 ; at Rox- 

bury, 234. 
Langdon, Lieut. Paul, 71 ; Capt. Paul, takes 

a company to Roxbury, 115 ; roll of, 234; 

coat orders, 2.35; family of, 209. 
Lawyers, list of, 275. 
"Lexington Alarm," 113, 115; roll of War- 

riner's Co., 2.32-2.34; courier's letter, 234. 
Lyon, Marcus, murder of, 206. 

Manufactories, 160; domestic, 162, 103, 263. 

Maps and paintings of Wilbraham, 276-278. 

Minnechaug, 19. 

Merrick, Dr. Samuel F., 18; journal of, 2.38- 
240. 

Merrick, David, 34, 33, 44, 48, 72. 

Merrick, Hon. Judge, speech of, 178; Hon. 
George, letters of, 192. 

Merrick, Thomas 2d, 24,29, 34, 44; commis- 
sioned Lieut., 67. 

Merrick, Thomas, Jr., bitten by riittlesnake, 
60; ode on, 67, 208. 

Merrick, Rev. Noah, a candidate, 34; called 
to settle, 35; conditions of settlement, 
letter of acceptance, 35-39 ; ordination 
of, 40-42, 203 ; house of, 37, 45, 47 ; tr«.uble 
about salary and land, 02-04 ; Council, 
63; trouble about councils, death, 90-90, 
225; character of, 97; ancestry of, 228; 
monument of, 220; end of his dwelling-- 
house, 144. 

Morris, Isaac, 71, 114, 233; family of, 304. 

" Mountains," or " Outward Commons " of 
Springfield, 13; division of, 14-19, 195; 
description of, 19-22; names of proprie- 
tors, 190-198; trespassers forbidden on, 
213; Indian name of, 19, 198 ; Indians in, 
21 ; early settlers of, 23, 24, 199; marriage 
of settlers of, 199. 

Money, depreciation of, 119, 121, 125, 127, 
244 ; anecdote of, 245. 

Methodists, 137; in South Parish, 138; his- 
tory of, in North Parish, 247; petition 
for society of, 249; reply to by parishes, 
250-51 ; another petition for society, 252, 
253; reply to, 253, 254. 

Meeting-house, vote to build, 43; history of 
location and erection, 44-54 ; unfinished 
condition of 64, 59; worship in, 54-58; 
view from, 55; seating of, 59, 85; re- 
moving of to street, 1-39, 140; bell on, 
141; end of, 144. 



Meeting, where held before building meeting- 
house, 51. 

Mills, Stebbins's, Langdon's, Leach's, Bad- 
ger's, 157, clothing, 158, 159; woolen, 203. 

Ministry- lots, 14, .36; where, and disposal of, 
01, 1.34, 203, 222. 

Newbury, Roger, survey of, 18; record of, 19. 

" Overplus land," 18 ; given to minister, 36; 

value of, 30. 
" Outward Commons," see "Mountains." 

Parishes, North, history of, 139; Rev. Mr. 
Willard, 140; Rev. Mr. Witter, 140, 141; 
Brown, and trouble, 143; ministers in, 256; 
South, early worship in, 144; meeting- 
house, 145; Rev. Mr. Warren's settle- 
ment, ministry, death, character, 145- 
149, 250; case of discipline, 257; Mr. 
Clarke, 149 ; condition of, 150; ministers 
in, 258. 

Preaching, money for, given by Springfield, 
32, 201. 

Pynchon, William, 13. 

Pynchon, Col. Jolm, 17; his lot, 18. 

Pound built, 43. 

Potashes, 159. 

Precinct, petition for, 29, 202 ; incorporation 
of, 31 ; first meeting of, 32, 33 ; officers of, 
33; movement to be made a town by, 72. 

Professional men not graduates, 272, 27.3. 

Population in 1741, 01. 

Post-office and mail-stages, 160, 161, 263. 

Physicians, 275. 

Raymond, Rev. Dr., 12, 137, 170, 178, 187; his 
history of the Academy, 269-262. 

Revolutionary war, 100; appeal of Boston 
merchants, 102; vote of town upon, 102, 
103 ; committee of correspondence, 104 ; 
reply to Boston appeal, 104, 100; Gage in 
Boston, 108; non-consumption report, 
109 ; signers of pledge of, 232 ; soldiers 
in, 234-243 ; died or killed in, 243; pen- 
sioners, 244; whole number of soldiers 
in, 244. 

Roads, 66; arrangement of, 82-84; poorness 
of, 84; votes by Springfield on, 205 ; those 
first laid out, 224. 

Rebellion of 1861, spirit of the people, 1.35, 
169; number of men furnished, 240. 

Russell, Ezekiel, 71, 115; in Lexington alarm, 
233; Dr. Ezekiel, his speeches, 180, 2S9; 
family of, 304. 

Russell, town of, 13. 

Shaw, Capt. James, " Bennington Alarm," 
117; roll of Co., 238; Capt. John, repre- 
sentative to form constitution, 118. 



317 



Shays, Daniel, insurrection of, 127-131, 24ii. 

Slaves, 267. 

Scantic river, scenery of, 69, 70. 

Stacy, William, 71. 

Sessions, Robert, Boston tea party, 107 ; Sum- 
ner, woollen mill of, 203. 

Stebbins, Caleb, 40; grant of land for his 
mill, 263; Phineas, delegate to form con- 
stitution, 122; first representiitive under 
new constitution, 132; delegate to con- 
vention to consider the'Constitution of 
United States, 133 ; votes against it, 133 ; 
Sylvanus, 18; Stephen, 70; Moses, 71,81 ; 
Samuel, 24, 32, .33, 48; Aaron, 70; Enos, 
81, suspected, 117; Luther, delegate to 
form State Constitution in 1820, 134 ; 
Rev. Horatio, speech of, 183; Rev. Dr., 
speech of, 187 ; family of, .305. 

Schools, appropiations for, 25, 64, 65 ; school- 
house, ()5; first money by town, 79,80 
school lot, 14; districts, 80; teachers, 81 
books, 81, 151; grammar schools, 152 
boarding round, 151-153; money for, 154 
granted by Springfield before incorpora- 
tion, 203-205; improvement of, 165; pri- 
vate, 156. 

Springfield, wlien settled, 13; extent of, 13; 
wealth of, as compared with Wilbraham, 
2(J4. 

Sixteen acres, 26, 27. 

Singing, 85-90. 

Sikes and Pease, stages of, 263. 

South Parish, scenery of, 69, 70; early set- 
tlers of, 70-72 ; set off, 98, 99, 226, 227 ; 
act of incorporation, 229. 

Soldiers, clothing for, 120; subscription to 
raise money for, 123 ; difficulty of obtain- 
ing, 126; in present war, 135, 246. 

Sunday, 27, 28; schools of, 151. 

Tanneries, 159. 



Tavern, 276. 

Ticonderoga, expedition to, 117. 

Town-meeting, first prayer in, 108; quantity 

of beef for army, 125. 
Tories, 117, 123. 
Torrey, Nathan's, elegy on Thomas Merrick, 

206. 

Universalists, 1.38. 

War of 1812, men sent to, 133 ; names of, 246. 

Wilbraham, periods in history of, 11 ; Indian 
name of, 19; description of, 19-22: In- 
dians in, 21 ; early settlers of, 23, 24; pe- 
tition for incorporation sent to Spring- 
field, 72,7:!,213; act of incorporation, 215; 
additions to territory of, 70 ; first repre- 
sentative, 74, 75 ; population of, 1763, 
77 ; first town-meetiug, 77, 78 ; refuse 
preaching in south part, 98 ; modesty of, 
103; provide ammunition. 111 ; refuse to 
pay money to colonial treasurer, 112 ; 
Tories in, 113; attempt to make two 
towns of, 1.34; changed condition of 165, 
166 ; equality of condition of inliabitants, 
167; character of, 167, 108, 200; origin of 
name of, 215 ; births and deatlis in before 
incorporation, 217-222, 205; valuation of 
property in 1771, 230, 231; expenses of, 
205, 266; town clerks of, 274 ; representa- 
tives of, 274; maps and paintings of, 
27(;-278. 

Wigwam Hill, 21,47-49,51,53; view from, 55. 

Warner, Daniel, 23 ; his daughter Comfort, 
20; .38,45, 72 ; Samuel, 24, .34 ; journal of, 
66, 08, 208-213 ; family of, 310. 

Warriner, Nathaniel, 23, 32, 41, 44, 51, 57, 04 ; 
disburses school money, 05, 72; dcatli, 99 ; 
legacies of, 99 ; Capt. James, 114 ; roll of 
his company, 222 ; family of, 312. 

Warden, oflSce of, 79. 



ERRATA, 



I beg the indulgent reader to pardon and correct the following errors : — 

Page 71, 6th line from the top, for " Capt.," read Lieut. 

Pago 71, 18th line from the top, for " Lothrop Chaftee resides," read William P. 

Chaffee lately resided. 

Page 156, 15th line from the top, for " 1826," read 1835. 

Page 175, 14th line from the top, for " Samuel L.," read Samuel M. 

Page 177, 5th line from the top, for " Samuel L.," read Samuel M. 

Page 178, 9th line from the top, for " Horace," read Robert O. 

Page 249, 17th line from the top, for " Givesey," read Livesey. 

Page 255, 10th line from the top, for " Inkermann," read Balahlava. 

Page 271, bottom, for " Edwin " read Edward. 

Page 278, 15th line from the top, for " Budy," read Bridgman. 

In the notice of " Slavery in Wilbraliam," page 267, 1 said I knew nothing of CaDsar's end. 
1 have since learned that he lived, till his death, in the Merrick family ; was well cared for, 
nursed, and religiously instructed; died in the Christian faith, and was buried in the 
burying-ground. 

I learn, as another item, that since the incorporation of the town, June, 1763, to June, 
1863, one century, there have been : — Births, 3,940 ; deaths, 1,605 ; marriages, 941 ; and mar- 
riages of parties solemnized in other towns, 32. These, added to Warner'.s record, page 
282, make the number of births, from the settlement, 1731, to 1863, 4,306; deaths, 1,670. 



' * 



RD-70 « 



PRESS OF GEO. C. RAND & AVERY, BOSTON. 



DD UM7 



yi%^.* V 






t» '?>> 



^ ':^^^» %.^^ -*^' \^/ -'^^ %.^^ J 



J^' ^'S% 









..^' X ° w?! • . ^*'x •-^^••" ,/' X '^ 







^ • * * '^o. 



■*. '«, 









''*, 










\ ^"^i^^ /% ^ 



-oV^ 



S^ » 



^ ,0 











♦• ** 



V. 



.i,^ 



'■*^ 



v' 















>> ^ * • , 






<♦ 

V-^, 

■•b^ 





'%/■ 


4^^^^^ 


• /% 


o • » • 


.<^ ..„ 






* 
t ■ 


-< I' 




^°-^. 







DOBBS BROS. .^ . , . "^ 

LIBKAIIV ■INOINO ,' ,•.* . 



MAR197' . 

8T. AUGUSTINE ^ 







JO 



.<» 




. 



